Extinction looms for vaquita porpoise; WWF wants Mexico to help

Only urgent action will save the tiny vaquita porpoise. The World Wildlife Fund wants Mexico to help.

The vaquita lives only in the Gulf of California. Gillnet fishing had driven the small marine mammal to the verge of extinction. Mexico has banned gillnets, but the ban is not enforced. Only a complete crackdown on gillnet fishing will save the species said WWF Joint Director for Science Maria José Villanueva. “Another (fishing) season like this year’s could mean that the vaquita does not survive,” she said.

The vaquita’s plight gained notoriety when WWF member and actor Leonardo DiCaprio tweeted President Enrique Peña Nieto to help the vaquita.

Nieto responded that his government was taking the necessary steps.