The Gradual Disappearance of Vaquitas - Hanya Awan

Many animals in the sea have been vulnerable for centuries, from fishing to easy predator reach; it is no surprise that many sea mammals have been decreasing in population to the point where laws need to be enforced to protect these remarkable creatures. From many fish farms needing to be banned in rural areas to the number of dolphins that have been in captivity for entertainment‌; the sea world experiences no pause in continuous problems from humans and climate change. An example of a very important creature in the ocean that has only been recognized ‌recently for its high chance of extinction is the Vaquita. Vaquitas are small animals that are the size of a child or a half-grown human adult. They have a constant height of being 5 feet long and weigh approximately 120 pounds. Since 2012, the vaquita population was condensed to only 200 living on Earth and their major source of threat is the fishing gear which includes various objects such as nets. The population of vaquitas declined by over 90% by late 2017 according to various wildlife organizations and rescue sites and over the last 5 years, the vaquita's population has become so vulnerable that petitions are being created, lawsuits are being filed against countries such as the United States to provide protection and safety of the vaquitas. Today, less than 20 vaquitas are estimated to remain and recently, only 5 are confirmed to be within reach. This strikes pressure and intense relationships between Mexico and the United States, as the vaquita are usually populated near the Gulf of Mexico and in between the United States. Many argue that vaquita only lives in the northern Gulf of California, the Sea of Cortez, Mexico which makes Mexico responsible for keeping them safe and immune as the fishnets and entanglement have almost made them undergo extinction. It is very difficult to spot a vaquita in its natural habitat as they are typically considered to be shy animals and always on the move, so when boats approach them they ‌avoid them and any human contact. However, several sightings show ‌vaquitas are seen in shallow levels of water at approximately 50 metres deep in the sea. The problem lies within the sea, as the fishnets impede their living routines and entangle them, leading to severe drowning and ultimately death. The drowning lasts for several minutes as they struggle to reach the surface of the water to grasp air. This also connects to endangered fish as the main reason why these fishnets interrupt their daily living is because of illegal fishing which has been banned in many areas, but is still continuously done without the fear of getting caught by government officials. The nets are extremely dangerous for the vaquitas, in particular as they are inclusive to every species. While the net is designed to catch fish, many other unwelcomed species get attached and trapped in the net, and the individuals who commit the crime of illegal fishing seem to not be slightly affected by catching additional animals that later die by drowning or trapping. The fishing nets are not only affecting the fish from illegal fishing but according to many sources, sea animals are more endangered than some land mammals as over 300,000 whales, porpoises, and dolphins get entangled in fishing nets each year. This only increases more risk and damage to the environment as much more species in the oceans are getting unintentionally harmed without a warning or logical reasoning behind the massive crime, in fact, most fishnets are the main contributor to why some sea animals do not live for a long period of time as pollution and other toxins contaminate the sea, only making it a more deadly place for these innocent creatures. Governments need to take further legal action to ensure the safety and priority care for vaquitas as they are so close to being extinct, with only 20 estimated to be left. Illegal fishing is the primary source of the near occurring extinction, and Mexico should monitor the gulfs more as they remain unchecked. With more security and protection, the vaquita's population can be close to being restored, and much more fish can live freely in the sea as the fishnets will not threaten and damage the water any longer with fewer chances of illegal fishing.

Works Cited

Henry, Leigh. “Vaquita | Species | WWF.” World Wildlife Fund, 2017, www.worldwildlife.org/species/vaquita.

“Save the Endangered Vaquita - Porpoise Conservation Society.” Porpoise Conservation Society, Porpoise Conservation Society, 2017, porpoise.org/save-the-vaquita/.

“Vaquita.” Www.biologicaldiversity.org, www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/vaquita/.