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BajaNews
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The plight of the vaquita
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-12/bpl-sss120806...
8-Dec-2006
Davina Quarterman
Research published in the academic journal Mammal Review has uncovered the missing link in the depleting population of the vaquita. With a body less
than 1.5 m long, the vaquita is the smallest living cetacean (the order Cetacea consists of whales, dolphins and porpoises). It also has one of the
smallest ranges (c. 2235 km2) and one of the smallest populations (< 600 individuals based on a 1997 survey). This little porpoise is one of the
two most critically endangered small cetaceans in the world, suggesting that its chances of survival are small, just like its population size and area
of distribution. So, what actions have been and are being taken to prevent the vaquita’s extinction and promote its recovery" In a recent paper
published in Mammal Review, the authors from Mexico and Canada reviewed the scientific issues, described previous and ongoing conservation efforts,
and identified remaining obstacles, established priorities, and provided recommendations.
The vaquita is endemic to the north-western corner of the Gulf of California (north of 30º45'N and mainly west of 114º20'W), an area rich and diverse
in marine mammals. It is somewhat surprising that the porpoises are limited to such a small area when there are no obvious physical barriers to
prevent them from moving into the rest of the Gulf. However, there is no evidence that the vaquita’s overall range has changed in historic times.
Acoustic surveys suggest that vaquitas are not only limited to the north-western Gulf all the year-round, but also that their current distribution is
more restricted than previously thought – confined to a small area off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula.
What is driving the vaquita towards extinction" It is not, as is so often the case, degradation of its habitat. A risk factor analysis discounted
pollution or the drastic reduction of freshwater flow from the Colorado River as primary culprits. It is also not a genetic problem. Genetic analyses
and population simulations suggested that the vaquita has always been rare and that its extreme loss of genomic variability occurred over evolutionary
time rather than recently owing to human-caused mortality. Instead of those factors, the “smoking gun” in this instance is accidental mortality in
fishing gear, something popularly known as “bycatch”.
Large-, medium- and small-mesh gillnets set for fish and shrimp entangle and kill vaquitas far too frequently. The best available quantitative
estimate of bycatch refers to only one of the three main fishing ports: 39 vaquitas/yr (95% CI: 14, 93). Current population size could well be around
400 animals. If the vaquita goes extinct, its story will be the chronicle of an announced extinction. For decades scientists from Mexico and abroad,
in various international and national fora, have warned the Mexican Government that the vaquita was at risk of being extirpated as a result of the
bycatch. The Government has ignored such warnings and chosen to blame the vaquita’s precarious condition on the lack of water in the Colorado River –
a result of damming and diversion in the United States. No data have been offered in support of this idea and, in fact, the Upper Gulf remains a very
rich and productive ecosystem.
Is the vaquita destined to become the first marine cetacean to go extinct in modern times because of anthropogenic factors" How can this sad prospect
be prevented" The small number of porpoises in the current population cannot be expected to withstand continuing incidental mortality. This needs to
be eliminated. However, progress towards even reducing, much less stopping, vaquita bycatch has been painfully slow despite efforts to phase-out
fishing with gillnets in the core area of vaquita distribution and to devise schemes involving compensation, incentives and alternative livelihoods
for fishermen.
For the first time since 1958, when the vaquita was scientifically described and named as a species, the Mexican Government has finally taken specific
actions to try to prevent its extinction. On 29 December 2005 the Ministry of Environment declared a Vaquita Refuge that contains within its borders
approximately 80% of all verified vaquita sighting positions. In the same decree, the State Governments of Sonora and Baja California were offered
$(US)1 million to compensate affected fishermen. Another big step will be to convince the relevant State Governments of the Upper Gulf to support
actions proposed by an international vaquita recovery team. These Governments have argued that no action should be taken until a second survey for a
new abundance estimate shows definitively that the population is declining.
But the question of how often new estimates or indices must be obtained to monitor trends is a tricky one. Ship surveys are expensive and they cannot
be expected to detect population declines or increases on an acceptable timescale for such a critically endangered species. According to one analysis,
a single survey in 2006 or 2007 would have a probability of only 11% of detecting a 3%/year decline and a 16% probability of detecting a 10%/year
decline. Achieving an acceptable probability (e.g. 95%) of detecting a 3% decline would require annual surveys over a period of 39 years at a cost of
approximately $29 million. Moreover, by that time (c. 45 years from now) only some 180 or so vaquitas would be left. Clearly, it is wiser to invest
available funds in conservation actions, particularly in ones that offer viable socioeconomic alternatives to fishermen.
Mexico has a very good record in helping endangered marine mammals to recover. There are no better examples anywhere in the world than eastern Pacific
gray whales and northern elephant seals, both of which came back from low numbers and now represent true conservation success stories. Similar efforts
are needed urgently for the vaquita, a small animal living in a small area with a small, and ever-smaller, population.
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MrBillM
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The Plight of the Vaquita
Reading the article, I don't see the most obvious reason that the Vaquita is nearing extinction. Assuming that we agree the extinction would be
BAD, then obviously the blame should be directed at George W. Bush, the one man responsible for ALL of the world's evils.
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Osprey
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Four or five years ago I encountered a large school of very small porpoise here in Palmas Bay on the East Cape. The adults were all the same size,
less than 2 meters in length. It appeared that there was at least one juvenile (less than a meter) with each adult I saw. They were moving fast so I
didn't have much time to take it all in but there were at least 50 adults in the pod. When I got back to shore I looked up the porpoise in the books
I had available at the time and concluded they could not have been harbor porpoise (next to the smallest cetacean). This bay is just 60 miles from
the Pacific so that's a long way from their home range. I reported the sighting to Western Outdoor News.
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The Sculpin
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OK, now I get it! In reading the Iraq report, there was an obscure reference to the Vaquita, and that Bush's policies in that regard were clearly not
working. Can't remember what their proposed course of action was...it may have been direct talks with gillnetters.....or killer whales....
Ahhhh...democracy in action
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fishbuck
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I thought this was an interesting if somewhat sad post. It seems worthy of a bump back to the top to see if it can generate some discussion other than
a few feeble jokes about president Bush.
I was unaware the the little vaquita was in the Cortez. I know that they inhabit some rivers in south america and a few in China.
I, like most people really love to see dolphins and porpoises in the wild.
Here is another example of why it's a bad idea to allow indiscriminate types of fishing like gillnetting, bottom trawling and longlining. Habitat
destruction and bycatch.
It does seem as though there is some hope for the little guys. And maybe this will help the tortuava too!
Since I've been on this board I've noticed there's a sort of flippant "me worry?" attitude. Well that's fine. I think it's some sort of gringo
interpretation of the "baja attitude". Ya, well go have another drink then.
But I've also noticed a few people who seem to truly love baja and understand it's something to be protected and cherrished. More of a "take only what
you need and leave only footprints" idea.
People can make a difference. What type of baja person are you?
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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Iflyfish
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MrBillM
You wrote "The Plight of the Vaquita
Reading the article, I don't see the most obvious reason that the Vaquita is nearing extinction. Assuming that we agree the extinction would be BAD,
then obviously the blame should be directed at George W. Bush, the one man responsible for ALL of the world's evils."
I can see why you would bring up Bush in this context though I don’t think he is responsible in this case. He did not invade and occupy these pods of
Vaquita without provocation as he did in Iraq. The Vaquita have not declared him a war criminal as many have after his unprovoked invasion and
occupation of Iraq. The Vaquita have not been likened him to Hitler and his invasion and occupation of Sudetenland. I think he has enough problems on
his hand now and that he does not deserve the slur that he may be responsible for the plight of the Vaquita. Please cut George II some slack, ok?
Fishbuck
Well said.
Iflyfish
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capt. mike
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this is all well and good (except knocking the Prez.....go do that on the political or open topic sections, ok?!)
now...what i really want to know here is what kind of bait and rigs should be used to catch these critters, and the best way to cook and eat 'em!! 
grill, smoke, batter fried??
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Cypress
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Gill nets ought to be eliminated before they eliminate the fish, marine mammals, birds etc.  Have used 'em, they can be very destructive. They've already been baned in some areas with amazing results. Depleted fish stocks
recovered.
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Iflyfish
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I apologize for the retort to MrBillM, though a fisherman I sometimes get hooked.
I have seen these nets strung literaly for miles in the sea of Cortez. Incredibly destructive way to fish. I think you got it right Cypress.
Iflyfish
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MrBillM
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Bad Boy George
No Harm done. The GWB reference was Sarcasm ! A little bit of Humor.
Since the Greenies have taken to blaming Bush for every natural and unnatural occurence on Earth (including Katrina and other disasters), I was saying
that this must be his fault, too.
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
No Harm done. The GWB reference was Sarcasm ! A little bit of Humor.
Since the Greenies have taken to blaming Bush for every natural and unnatural occurence on Earth (including Katrina and other disasters), I was saying
that this must be his fault, too. |
Certainly, W has done more harm than good for endangered species,... so, couldn't agree with you more, W and his ilk are setting the example and are
at fault. W, as superpower leader, is the poster child and titular head of the anti-environment industrialists. It's his fault. For once, you are
correct, Mr BillM. In your old age, you are finally becoming a humanist.
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MrBillM
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Cabra al Carbon
I've been insulted by the best, but calling me a humanist is beyond the pale.
Take it BACK !
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DENNIS
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Maybe he meant Humorist.
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Hook
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Four or five years ago I encountered a large school of very small porpoise here in Palmas Bay on the East Cape. The adults were all the same size,
less than 2 meters in length. It appeared that there was at least one juvenile (less than a meter) with each adult I saw. They were moving fast so I
didn't have much time to take it all in but there were at least 50 adults in the pod. When I got back to shore I looked up the porpoise in the books
I had available at the time and concluded they could not have been harbor porpoise (next to the smallest cetacean). This bay is just 60 miles from
the Pacific so that's a long way from their home range. I reported the sighting to Western Outdoor News. |
Osprey, it is my understanding that the vaquita's outer flesh is actually a pinkish color. That would be a more noticeable indicator of your seeing a
school of them so far out of their range, if that is what you were speculating.
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jerry
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osprey
if its true to corse they will make the defenation of this vaquita porpoise to include its range and when its found to be everywhere else it will be
denied because of the defination it couldnt be a vaquita porpoise
this is what happened to the spotted owl it was entered into the definition that it only nested in old growth timber and when it was seen nesting in
second growth, old barns, oak trees, cactus and church steeples all over the western united states and not indangered at all it was denied because by
the defenation it only nested in old groth timberit cant be a spotted owl  
jerry and judi
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Cypress
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The vaquita porpoise is found everywhere? That's a news flash. About those
spotted owls. Was anybody gill-netting 'em?
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windgrrl
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
Reading the article, I don't see the most obvious reason that the Vaquita is nearing extinction. Assuming that we agree the extinction would be
BAD, then obviously the blame should be directed at George W. Bush, the one man responsible for ALL of the world's evils.
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Phew - I thought it was "our" fault! Any old scape goat will do.
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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David K
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Vaquita images from the 'net...
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jerry
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noone was gillnetting themfuzzy little owls but this caused the shutt down of logging on allmost all federal and state lands and some private lands
the timber is now rotting it allso stopped timber tax income to the states and the schools now are begging
private timber co are coming back strong notice the price of housing its all because of a phony trumped up lawsuites by greenys
we all will pay dearly
jerry and judi
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Cypress
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David K. Thanks. A picture's worth a thousand words.
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