ACS Monterey Bay Program for April 2009

Capturing the Critically Endangered Vaquita ... with a Camera

"The Vaquita is the world's smallest porpoise. They live only in the northern reaches of the Gulf of California, Mexico. Scientists estimate that 150 animals remain. This shy, elusive porpoise is disappearing due to accidental entanglement in fishing nets set for shrimp. Following the loss of the Baiji (Yangtze River Dolphin) in 2006, the Vaquita is the next marine mammal in line for extinction." Reference: http://www.whaletrackers.com/vaquita/

In 2008 our speaker spent one month in Mexico photographing vaquitas (Phocoena sinus) and came away with the first high-quality images of this species ever taken. He and his crew also showed that photo-identification of individuals is possible with this species. He plans to use photo-identification techniques to build-up a long-term catalog of individuals to investigate biological aspects that will aid in its future management and conservation.

Please join us for this important presentation about the most endangered species of cetacean in the world.

Related web pages:

• Whale Trackers/Vaquita: The Search for the Desert Porpoise
  
  
• Biography of Thomas A. Jefferson
  
  
• Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification (on Amazon.com)
  

• Back to list of previous meetings.