Posted on March, 03 2015

The Mexican government has announced measures to protect the vaquita, the world’s smallest porpoise, living in the northern Gulf of California, where fewer than 100 individuals survive. Gillnets, used for fishing shrimp, will be phased out and an annual US$ 36 million provided to compensate fishers for lost income and boost conservation efforts. WWF has worked with local partners to save the vaquita – Spanish for ‘little cow’ -- for more than 15 years, promoting alternatives to gillnets.  

Four critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise were translocated 400km to a secure oxbow lake to create a new breeding population, while four others were moved to boost genetic diversity of an existing population.   

Original article posted on: 03.03.15      Updated on: 19.03.015