The Vaquita Porpoise:
A Conservation Emergency
The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is the rarest and most-endangered species of marine mammal in the world. In early 2023, the minimum population size of the vaquita was thought to be about 10-13, based on the results of a vessel survey and acoustic study. Total population size may be a bit higher. It is the smallest of only seven species of true porpoises, and is the only one that lives in warm waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is found in a tiny area in the extreme northern Gulf of California, near Baja California, Mexico.
Learn more about vaquita
An immediate and total removal of gillnets from the entirety of the vaquita’s range can save it from extinction.
See a collection of photos of vaquita
News & Updates
VIVA VAQUITA! Endorses Kamala Harris for President!
It is very difficult to conserve and protect threatened wildlife without support from the top levels of…
AFRICA’S ATLANTIC HUMPBACK DOLPHINS WIN U.S. ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTIONS
WASHINGTON — The National Marine Fisheries Service announced today that the highly imperiled Atlantic humpback dolphin will…
GOOD NEWS: NO DECREASE DETECTED IN VAQUITA POPULATION!
Thomas A. Jefferson, Director of VIVA Vaquita A team of marine mammal researchers and conservationists have just returned…
NEW RESEARCH SHOWS IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR THE VAQUITA!
The current population of the Critically Endangered vaquita porpoise is thought to be a few as 10-15…
VOTE TO HELP SAVE THE VAQUITA!
On November 3rd, Americans will vote in the most important election of our lifetimes. Among the many…
U.S. GOVERNMENT ORDERED TO BAN IMPORTS OF SEAFOOD PRODUCTS ENDANGERING THE VAQUITA
On Thursday, the U.S. Court of International of Trade ordered the Trump administration to ban seafood imports…
![Sea of Shadows is a National Geographic documentary about environmental activists (Sea Shepherd), the Mexican Navy, and undercover investigators trying to prevent the extinction of the vaquita, a species of porpoise and the smallest whale in the world, by pulling gillnets, doing research, and fighting back Mexican cartels and Chinese mafia who are destroying ocean habitats in their brutal pursuit to harvest the swim bladder of the totoaba fish, known as the "cocaine of the sea".[5][6][2][3][7][8] The 1 hour and 44 minutes long film is directed by Richard Ladkani.](https://vivavaquita.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sos-banner.jpg)
INTERNATIONAL SAVE THE VAQUITA DAY AND THE FILM ‘SEA OF SHADOWS’ BRING NEW ATTENTION TO THE VAQUITA ISSUE
In the past week, two events have brought much greater attention to the issue of the Critically…
POSTCARD DRIVE TO SAVE THE ENDANGERED VAQUITA PORPOISE
VIVA Vaquita partner, Save The Whales has joined with nonprofits, zoos, and aquariums across the country. This…
Using YouTube Subtitles/CC: Click on “CC” to turn on (red), “Settings” and click on “English (auto-generated)” then select “Auto-translate” and use your preferred language.
This excellent new book describes the politics and science of the vaquita issue. Brooke Bessesen has done exhaustive research into the issue and weaves a compelling story of the efforts to save the species from extinction. This is a must-read for any vaquita fan. More details about the book and how to order can be found at: www.islandpress.org/books/vaquita