大象传媒

A recent study published by The Royal Society on the critically endangered vaquita porpoise found that there are only around 10 of the species left.

Illegal fishing in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico has contributed to the decline in population: vaquita porpoises often drown as by-catch in gill nets that are cast to trap totoaba fish.

Despite a ban by the Mexican government on gill net fishing in 2015, and the Navy running patrols along the Gulf, the illegal practice still continues.

One of the authors of the study, Professor Len Thomas, explains what it will take to try and save the species from extinction.

Photo: A vaquita porpoise in the northern gulf of California
Credit: Press Association