Saving the Vaquita Porpoise
by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society 13 Dec 2017 03:16 PST
Saving the Vaquita Porpoise © Sea Shepherd
Operation Milagro IV, which takes place in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, is Sea Shepherd's campaign to save the most endangered marine mammal in the world: the vaquita porpoise. This species has been driven to the brink of extinction by illegal fishing operations.
During last year's Operation Milagro III campaign, Sea Shepherd crew members were able to save 795 live animals, including sharks, rays, the endangered totoaba bass, and other types of marine wildlife. We removed 233 pieces of illegal fishing gear, allowing countless more animals to swim free, including the vaquita.
This past fall, Sea Shepherd returned to the Sea of Cortez, and, in partnership with the Mexican government, is patrolling the vaquita refuge, assisting in the arrest of poachers, and removing illegal gillnets.
This work is vital to helping save the vaquita from extinction. It is estimated that less than 30 vaquita remain, which is why we must increase our efforts. With a third vessel scheduled to arrive in 2018, Operation Milagro IV will be our most important campaign yet. Therefore, we urgently need your help to make this happen.