Front pageTwice every month, Whales online selects a significant current event concerning whales and their world. 6 November 2008 Last-ditch effort for the vaquitaCanada, Mexico and the United States have united their efforts to save the Gulf of California porpoise known as the vaquita. Threatened with extinction within the next two years if nothing is done to eliminate accidental entanglement in fishing gear, this species could be the second cetacean to disappear due to human activities; the first was the baiji, or Yangtze river dolphin. The vaquita is the smallest cetacean in the world at less than 1.5m in length. Its population, estimated to be a mere 150 individuals, numbered 600 in 1997. Its range is limited to a 1 400-km2 territory in the Upper Gulf of California. A timid animal, the vaquita lives in shallow waters and feeds on small fish and squid. It is threatened by accidental entanglement in fishing gear; approximately 80 of these porpoise die in this manner every year. Three local communities live from the subsistence and commercial fishing of various fish species and shrimp. Scientific experts consider that any renewed research effort to document either the size of this population or the extent of the threat would be futile at this point. According to them, results are clear and it is now time to act. Thus, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) launched the North American Conservation Action Plan (NACAP) for the vaquita on October 28, 2008. The plan defines the vaquita as a species of common continental concern and underlines the importance of supporting Mexico's protection efforts. The main priority is to immediately eliminate all fishing gear that could impede its survival from the vaquita's range. The conservation plan is made up of four elements: setting up an efficient and realistic legal framework, immediately delivering financial compensation to fishermen, developing new socio-economic activities for fishing communities and establishing fishing techniques that do not harm the vaquita and its ecosystem. The purpose of these efforts is to simultaneously ensure the survival of the vaquita and the well-being of the communities bordering on its habitat. Since the shrimp fishery opened on September 23, the Mexican government has already banned all fishing in a 1 200-km2 area of critical vaquita habitat. It also established a program for fishermen to start business other than fishing. In all, a total of 196 boats have been withdrawn from the area. Approximately 100 more boats are now equipped with fishing gear that is safe for the vaquita. In 2009, no fishing gear that could be harmful to this species will be used within its range. The costs of these actions attain a total investment of $20 million for 2007-2008. The application of the law will require a further $2.5 million. The CEC is an international organization created by the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States within NAFTA. It was formed to address regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts, and to promote the effective enforcement of environmental law. Accidental entanglement affects many cetacean species around the world. Efforts to save the vaquita will likely help cetaceans in gene ral. [CEC] I want to know more On the CEC site: CEC launches trinational vaquita conservation plan On Whales Online:
The information has not been verified but comes from reliable sources. The archives of 2008The archives ot past years |