Vaquita

Common Name: Vaquita, cochito, Gulf of California porpoise, gulf porpoise ; Cochito, marsouin du Golfe de Californie, vaquita (Fr); Cochito, vaquita(Sp)

Scientific Name: Phocoena sinus

Habitat: Tropical upwelling

Location: Upper Gulf of California, Mexico

Population: Estimated around 245 individuals

Background

The vaquita, a small porpoise endemic to Mexico's Gulf of California, is the world's smallest and most endangered small marine cetacean. With around 245 left, high levels of entanglement in fishing gear threaten imminent extinction if current trends continue.

Each year, anywhere between 40 and 80 vaquitas are killed in gillnets and trawl nets used in both artisanal and commercial fishing. At the same time, the habitat of the species has been altered by damming of the Colorado River in the US.

An intensive study of this population has taken place and some initial protective measures are underway, but without additional action to eliminate fisheries bycatch it is unlikely that its future can be ensured.

WWF has been working with Mexican scientists, government representatives, the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita (CIRVA), and other partners and collaborators to develop a long-term strategy for conservation of the species.

For the conservation of the vaquita, WWF has developed the following milestone:

By 2009, bycatch of vaquita (Phocoena sinus )in the Gulf of California, Mexico, has been reduced to a level that does not threaten the population, i.e. no more than one animal per year. To achieve this:

• Mexico has established a wildlife refuge covering the distribution area of the vaquita that falls outside of the Upper Gulf of California Biosphere Reserve.
• The use of gillnets and shrimp trawls has been eliminated in vaquita habitat, and progress has been made on alternative gears and other sustainable economic alternatives for local fishermen and communities

Physical Description

The vaquita is the smallest living cetacean, closely resembling the common porpoise. However, the pectoral fins of this species are longer, and the dorsal fin taller in proportion to the body length, than in other species of porpoise.

Size
The vaquita may weigh up to 55 kg (120 lb) and females can reach up to 1.5 m (4.9'), males up to 1.4 m (4.6').

Color
In adults, the dorsal surface is dark gray, the sides are pale gray and the ventral surface is white with some long, light gray markings. This porpoise has a large dark ring around the eyes and dark patches on the lips that form a thin line from the mouth to the pectoral fins.

In the newborn, the coloration is darker than in adults, particularly in the head and in the areas behind the eyes. There is a wide gray fringe of color that runs from the head to the dorsal flukes, passing through the dorsal and pectoral fins.

Habitat

Major habitat type
Tropical upwelling

Biogeographic realm
Neotropical

Range States
Baja California and Sonora States in Mexico

Geographical Location
Upper Gulf of California, Mexico

Ecological Region
Gulf of California

Endemism

Upper Gulf of California, Mexico