The tiny vaquita porpoise is the most threatened sea
mammal in the world. Fewer than 10 are left – pushed to the
edge of extinction by illegal fishing nets that ensnare and
drown them within minutes.
But there's a flicker of hope.
Scientists have discovered astounding genetic health among the
last surviving vaquitas – meaning these beautiful creatures could
fully bounce back if dangerous fishing practices
end now. And we can help make that
happen!
San Felipe in Mexico is the centre of the
local fishing industry. And three amazing groups there are working
flat out to equip locals with sustainable fishing gear
that’s completely safe for vaquitas.
Already fishers are switching over, but with so few vaquitas left
we need to act quickly. They urgently need
money to buy safe fishing gear, train people on how to
use it and get it onto fishing boats as fast as possible.
Can you chip in to protect the last 7 vaquitas
-- and marine environments everywhere?
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you’ve saved your payment information with SumOfUs, your donation
will go through immediately.
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Vaquita numbers have plunged 99% in a
decade as the use of “gillnets” has rocketed to meet the
growing global demand for fish. These vertical walls of netting trap
all sea life that comes their way. Air-breathing vaquitas
don’t stand a chance.
It’s annihilation, but we can’t give up on them
yet.
On-the-ground groups like Pesca ABC, Whale Museum and MAREM – a
network of 80 heroic women in the fishing community
– are still fighting. Vladimir, with your help,
they can go further, faster, incentivising fishers to switch to
safer nets, and giving vaquitas the space they need to recover.
10 years ago, hundreds of vaquitas played together in this tiny
patch of the Gulf of California. Now they could disappear forever.
But if we all chip in, we can give them a chance to thrive once more
– and fight for better marine protections globally.
Can you rush a donation to help protect the 7 vaquitas
left?
If
you’ve saved your payment information with SumOfUs, your donation
will go through immediately.
Donate
$3 nowDonate
another amount