Mexico shrinks protected area as world’s rarest porpoise battles extinction
MEXICO CITY, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Mexico's president said on Thursday a drastic reduction in the protected area for the near-extinct vaquita marina, the world's smallest porpoise, will help fishing communities, although critics fear the move threatens the species' survival.
Mexico's president announced a significant reduction in the protected area for the vaquita marina, the world's smallest porpoise, to benefit fishing communities. This decrease of 86%, from approximately Connecticut-sized to just 1,562 square kilometers, aims to protect biodiversity while allowing fishermen to improve their livelihoods.
Dr. Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, a leading marine biologist and vaquita expert, hopes the smaller protected area will concentrate efforts to save the species, which currently numbers only 7 to 10 individuals. Scientists estimate the vaquita's population plummeted from 600 in 1997 to its current critically low numbers due to illegal gillnet fishing targeting the totoaba fish, whose swim bladders are sought after in Chinese medicine.
Conservationist Gerardo Ceballos expressed deep concern, stating that reducing the protected area without proper enforcement capacity risks imminent extinction. He emphasized that while the vaquita's survival might offer hope, the loss would be devastating, as the species represents a national symbol and cultural icon.
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