The vaquita are the rarest mammals that live in the sea, and they can only be found in one place: Mexico’s Gulf of California. These remarkable creatures are literally on the brink of extinction, and Mexico’s government is not holding up their end of the agreement to protect them. This is an emergency, and it […]
Tag: porpoise
Unsustainable Sand Mining in China Threatens A Critically-Endangered Cetacean
A long-term assessment of theYangtze finless porpoise in a heavily mined lake in China, has made some disturbing discoveries. In only a decade, the mining has significantly restricted the porpoise’s habitat, compromised its population connectivity, and destroyed its nearshore habitats. The researchers hope their findings will promote government accountability and raise general awareness of the […]
Mexico dismantles illegal fishing cartels killing off rare vaquita porpoise
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO — Some of the country’s most ambitious and successful wildlife traffickers are now in jail, officials announced. Mexico’s navy confirmed in a press conference that members of cartels dedicated to the trafficking of totoaba have been arrested and put in prison, effectively dismantling some of the main organized crime groups contributing to […]
Blood, guts and suspiciously mangled fins: inside a porpoise autopsy
The corpse lies on the stainless steel table. Next to it, a tray of sharp blades, pliers and what look like garden implements. The body – dark-skinned above, but pale underneath – was found on the beach at Barmston, Yorkshire, in March, with its dorsal fin mysteriously missing. It’s a harbour porpoise – and I’m […]
Countries push to undermine ban on commercial whaling
A 40-year-old ban on commercial whaling is in danger after “misleading” resolutions were put forward at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Portorož, Slovenia. The wildlife protection organisations OceanCare and Humane Society International said proposals by pro-whaling countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, could reverse progress made by the IWC. Antigua and Barbuda has submitted […]
Dead Orca Caught in Fishing Gear Off Oregon Coast
A dead orca carcass was seen wrapped in fishing gear off the coast of Oregon, which triggered a search to recover what may be the first dead killer whale in the state. A fisherman from Salem, Oregon, posted a picture of the orca wrapped in fishing gear on iFish.com. The fisherman thinks that the orca […]
Vaquita porpoise could survive … but only if illegal fishing stops immediately
Scientists studying the DNA of the world’s smallest cetacean and rarest marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise, have made a surprising and bittersweet discovery. With a tiny population of fewer than 10 individuals left, the mammal was assumed by conservationists to be at a similar risk of harmful mutations and inbreeding as other species with small […]
Petition: End Whale and Dolphin Captivity in the U.S.
In June 2019, Canada passed The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act (Bill S-203). This law makes “it illegal to hold any cetacean in captivity, for reasons other than rehabilitation and scientific research. Breeding or trading reproductive materials of whales and dolphins will also be prohibited. Any breach of this ban carries fines […]