The World’s Most Endangered Marine Mammal
Friday, July 06, 2018 written by Bianca Greeff
Saturday, July 7 is International Save the Vaquita Day. Nicknamed the “pandas of the sea,” these shy marine mammals are going extinct right before our eyes. The Vaquita Porpoise is the world’s most endangered marine mammal, with less than 30 individuals left in existence.
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) has identified the Vaquita as one of their signature species within the Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is committed to conservation and saving this iconic species. Even though the Vaquita is not found at the aquarium itself, we are helping to lead the effort to save this species from extinction. From eliminating harmful fishing practices, to creating a sanctuary for the remaining population, LLPA will continue to support the AZA SAFE program for the Vaquita.
It is important that we keep our beaches and oceans clean to help conserve this amazing species and to keep others from going extinct. There are many simple actions you can do, even from landlocked Utah, to help marine life.
Here are THREE easy things you can start doing today:
- Visit the Aquarium and sign a petition to permanently ban the use of Gillnets in Mexico. Vaquitas live in a small region in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. They often get entangled in large fishing nets, called gillnets, which are used to capture other fish. This bycatch is affecting the already small numbers of Vaquitas in the wild. With your signature we can help make the use of these Gillnets illegal. Either stop by our table at the Aquarium to sign, or visit change.org.
- Reduce your use of single-use plastics. One of the biggest threats to all aquatic life is plastics. You can help reduce plastic waste by using a refillable water bottle, using a reusable grocery bag, and skipping the straw.
- Eat sustainable seafood. Eating fish that comes from a sustainable source means there’s more fish in the ocean for all our ocean friends! Our AZA partners at Monterey Bay Aquarium have developed an amazing app called Seafood Watch. Through this app you can see if your favorite restaurants serve sustainable seafood. You can also see what grocers sell best choice seafood items, like local grocer Harmons.
By doing these three simple things, you can join us in helping all marine life thrive.
Infographic provided by the National Marine Mammal Foundation. Learn more about their VaquitaCPR program here. Bar graph provided by AZA SAFE. Learn more about their SAFE program here.