The Vaquita: The World’s Most Endangered Marine Mammal

The vaquita (Phocoena sinus), a tiny porpoise found only in Mexico’s Gulf of California, holds the tragic title of the world’s most endangered marine mammal, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining. Weighing up to 120 pounds and measuring just five feet long, these shy creatures are known for their dark eye rings and pale gray coloring—earning them the nickname “panda of the sea.”

Why Are Vaquitas Critically Endangered?

The primary threat is illegal gillnet fishing for the totoaba fish, whose swim bladder is smuggled to Asia as a luxury delicacy. Vaquitas, unable to detect the nearly invisible nets, drown as bycatch. Despite Mexico banning gillnets in 2017, enforcement remains weak, and poaching persists. Habitat degradation and low reproductive rates (one calf every two years) further threaten survival.

Can They Be Saved?

Conservationists urge urgent action:

• Strict enforcement of gillnet bans and protected zones

• Alternative fishing gear for local communities

• Captive breeding efforts, though risky, were attempted (and failed) in 2017

How You Can Help

Support organizations like Sea Shepherd and VaquitaCPR, and avoid seafood linked to unsustainable fishing. Time is running out—without immediate intervention, the vaquita could vanish forever, marking the first cetacean extinction caused by humans.

“Extinction is forever. The vaquita’s survival depends on our choices today.”

#SaveTheVaquita #StopExtinctionThe Elusive Vaquita: The World’s Most Endangered Marine Mammal