In a concerted effort to safeguard the endangered species of the vaquita porpoisethe Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), in collaboration with the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas) (Conanp) and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS), will conduct a Vaquita Observation Cruise 2024.
This expedition, which will be carried out from May 5 to 26, will focus on the Zero Tolerance Zone of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve.
The importance of this project lies in the need to better understand the situation of this species and its environment, he said. Semarnat in a press release.
The head of Semarnat, María Luisa Albores Gonzálezone of the main objectives is to estimate the minimum number of individuals and offspring of vaquitas.
The cruise will include the participation of Mexican, U.S. and Canadian experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), as well as with the cooperation of the Secretary of the Navy (Semar) and the Federal Attorney General's Office for Environmental Protection (Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente) (Profepa).
Semarnat emphasized the importance of collaboration with local communities, such as the community group of 19 young people from San Felipewhose participation will strengthen the conservation of the population of vaquitas.
Humberto Adán Peña Fuentesthe holder of the Conanpsaid that this cruise is very relevant, since in last year's successful sightings between 10 and 13 vaquitas and unpublished videos of the species in its natural habitat were obtained.
The doctor Armando Jaramillo LegorretaThe researcher, head of Conanp's Baja California Peninsula and North Pacific Regional Directorate, explained that the monitoring will be carried out through a visual and acoustic approach, using long-range binoculars and F-POD detectors.
The Captain Juan Luis Miraflores Ruiz indicated the actions implemented for the preservation of the area and the vaquita porpoiseThe project has also included the expansion of the Zero Tolerance Zone and the placement of concrete blocks to reduce the presence of boats and fishing nets.
The preservation of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve is crucial to guarantee the permanence of the vaquita porpoise in Mexican seas, as well as for the well-being of communities and biodiversity, Semarnat emphasized.
It is hoped that the results of this expedition will contribute to improve conservation measures and generate welfare by conserving our marine ecosystems.
Source: Semarnat
