From Daily Maverick · Reuters · · 1m 20s
Mexico shrinks vaquita refuge as porpoise nears extinction
Mexico cut the protected area for the world's rarest porpoise by 86 percent to help fishing communities, but scientists warn the move threatens the species' survival.
In brief
Mexico cut the protected area for the world's rarest porpoise by 86 percent to help fishing communities, but scientists warn the move threatens the species' survival. Mexico reduced the vaquita marina's protected area by eighty-six percent to aid fishing communities, but conservation experts fear the move will push…
Mexico cuts vaquita protection zone
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Mexico's government reduced the protected area where fishermen cannot use gillnets by eighty-six percent to one thousand five hundred sixty-two square kilometres, about the size of Greater London.
President says move helps fishing communities
President Claudia Sheinbaum said the new scope aimed to protect biodiversity in the Gulf of California while also allowing fishermen to make a better living.
Only seven to ten vaquitas remain
Scientists estimated last year there were just seven to ten vaquitas left, including at least one calf. The population collapsed from around six hundred in nineteen ninety-seven.
Expert warns of extinction path
Conservation expert Gerardo Ceballos said Mexico reduced the vaquita's protected area without enforcement capacity, giving in to pressure from interested groups to exploit a larger area.
“What's happening to the vaquita is a death foretold.”
Hope remains if action is taken
Ceballos said minimal investment from Mexico's government would ensure vaquita protection. If actions are taken, there is a possibility and hope, and we must keep working with hope.
“If actions are taken, there is a possibility, a hope. And we must keep working with hope.”
The big picture
Mexico reduced the vaquita marina's protected area by eighty-six percent to aid fishing communities, but conservation experts fear the move will push the world's rarest porpoise toward extinction.
