The Vaquita Is A Rare Species Of Porpoise…

The vaquita is a rare species of porpoise

VAQUITA
The vaquita is a unusual species of porpoise whose Spanish name means “tiny cow.” It lives over the Sea of Cortez along the northern capacity of the Gulf of California. The use of gillnets in commercial fishing has led to a drastic drop in population numbers; it is estimated that there are as atypical as one to three hundred individuals left.
Although vaquitas resemble common porpoises, they may be stockier and have a rounder face. They’re also the smallest of porpoises, weighing up to fifty kilograms (110.2 lbs). These mammals breathe air as well as prefer to skim the surface of the water in addition to disappear for long periods between breaths.
Experts agree that the super consequence~of super magnitude~of the essence} reason for its near-disappearance is accidental trapping in fishing gillnets. The Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita estimates that between thirty-nine in addition to eighty porpoises are killed each year in this way. A second negative effect of gillnet as well as trawl net fishing is that the vaquita’s food sources are often also caught as bycatch; this means a reduced food supply.
Another threat comes from hydroelectric damming, which causes habitat damage. The damming of the Colorado River on the U.S.A. has had especially deleterious effects during the vaquita, as it reduces the input of freshwater to the vaquita’s environment. Natural predators are reducing the already vulnerable porpoise population. In ordinary circumstances predators would have little impact usually in the long-term sustainability of a population; however, since the number of vaquitas remaining on the wild is so low, experts feel the need to address the issue. Projects to deter the white shark, mako, along with other fish species from feeding on vaquitas are in the works.
The WWF in Mexico along with the United States are working on a long-term strategy for restoring numbers in addition to preserving the species. Their conservation program outlines a goal to reduce the number of vaquitas caught as bycatch to no more than one per year. Measures proposed to achieve this include the establishment of reserves where gillnet as well as shrimp trawls are forbidden.
A {tremendous number~Hordes~Tens of millions~Huge number~Thousands and thousands} of those who live along the shores of the vaquita’s habitat practice the form of fishing that endangers the porpoise, in addition to care must be taken to ensure that other programs are in place to support the economic calls for of local communities. Sustainable development measures are necessary in order to protect both the vaquita with the fishermen who depend through the ocean for their livelihoods.

 

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