• Live
    • Audio Only
  • google plus
  • facebook
  • twitter
News > Mexico

22 Remaining Endangered Vaquita Threatened by Fish Trafficking

  • According to researchers, only 22 endangered vaquita whales remain in the Gulf of California.

    According to researchers, only 22 endangered vaquita whales remain in the Gulf of California. | Photo: @CITES

Published 9 March 2019
Opinion

Volunteer crew members on the Sea Shepherd ship Farley Mowat have dedicated themselves to removing gill nets that threaten the existence of the smallest and most endangered porpoise in the world. 

A battle between cartel-exploited fishermen and defenders of 22 endangered vaquitas grows increasingly violent as both sides anticipate what is to come during annual Spring season's crucial totoaba fishing ritual.

RELATED:

Exotic Turtles Found Taped Up in Luggage on World Wildlife Day

The vaquita marina is found only in the Gulf of California, also referred to as the Sea of Cortez. Volunteer crew members on the Sea Shepherd ship Farley Mowat have dedicated themselves to removing gill nets that, while intended to catch the totoaba fish, threaten the existence of the smallest and most endangered porpoise in the world. 

The crew has witnessed some fruits of their labor, including a higher presence of vaquitas from the original estimate of 15. An unfortunate consequence of attempting to preserve the species is the increased violence faced by crew as a result of some of the fishermen's growing desperation. 

Totoaba fish are considered a delicacy in China, and illegal dealers see a huge potential for profit.

While the efforts of the Sea Shepherd crew are giving the vaquitas a fighting chance at survival, net removals mean grave consequences for fishermen who are reportedly experiencing growing debt, by borrowing funds from Chinese and Mexican cartels, to order to replace each US$3000 net.

"This one fisherman wound up owing the cartels $54,000 for 18 nets. He tried to get out, he finally came out and said there is no way I can repay the cartel. He was murdered," Richard Ladkini, a documentary filmmaker and director of Sundance award-winning film "Sea of Shadows," said. 

While the Sea Shepherd crew emphasize that “if we stop operations, the vaquita will go extinct.” The ship has been targeted by two attacks where rocks and firebombs were hurled at the vessel by people on fishing boats. 

Jack Hutton, Sea Shepherd's first mate, understands the danger of continuing to remove nets and threatening the livelihood of many fishermen, "but if we don’t the vaquita has no chance... We know we are going to keep getting attacked.”

Despite increasing dangers, the activists are backed by Mexican marines and federal police, who have been present aboard the Farley Mowat to retaliate against attacks by firing rubber bullets at the fishing boats. A defensive measure which has resulted in officials being called out for not properly handling attacks, and doing little to prevent the nets from being placed at all. 

As Spring approaches, and peak totoaba catching season only a few months away, tensions are increasing with diverging pressure affecting each side. Activists are worried that mass totoaba fishing will completely wipe out the remaining vaquitas.

Andrea Costa of the Elephant Action League points out that the real problem is "a very sophisticated supply chain," and simply focusing on fishermen and net removal is an inadequate strategy. Costa points out that this plan will not work if it is not supplemented with increased efforts on targeting middlemen and traders who profit most from the illegal fishing. 

Comment
0
Comments
Post with no comments.