What are Vaquita? .... The vaquita, literally "little cow", is a species of porpoise endemic to the northern end of the Gulf of California. Averaging 150 cm (for females) or 140 cm (for males) in length, it is the smallest of all living cetaceans. Recent research estimates the population at fewer than 19 individuals. Unsustainable and illegal fishing practices are the main drivers pushing vaquita to extinction, particularly due to bycatch from illegal fishing. Vaquitas share waters with the much sought-after totoaba fish and fishing nets inadvertently catch and drown the porpoise.
