ACS Monterey Bay Program for April 2010

Viva Vaquita: Can We Save the World's Most Endangered Marine Mammal?

"The Vaquita is the world's smallest porpoise and the world's most endangered cetacean. They live only in the northern reaches of the Gulf of California, Mexico. Scientists estimate that about 150 animals remain. This shy, elusive porpoise is disappearing primarily 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."
http://www.whaletrackers.com/vaquita

Under the leadership of President Diane Glim, our Chapter has championed the cause of the Vaquita. We have co-sponsored a web site: http://www.vivavaquita.org, which was designed by Chapter Member and vaquita researcher Tom Kieckhefer. At Large Board Member Dida Kutz added a merchandising link: ¡Viva Vaquita La Tienda! to provide a fund raising opportunity.
http://www.printfection.com/vivavaquita

Additionally, other fund-raising opportunities include Board member and renowned sculptor, Randy Puckett's Vaquita Sculpture and our Chapter's special Vaquita Fund. Randy's purchase arrangements can include a donation to our Chapter to support this conservation effort.

Other Chapter Members involved in the Viva Vaquita Task Force include Alan and Sheila Baldridge, Maris Sidenstecker and Board Member Rene Rodriguez. ACS volunteer Cheryl Butner is now working in Mexico to help save the Vaquita. Anyone is welcome to join the ACS MB VivaVaquitaTF.

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 and his crew showed that photo-identification of individuals is possible with this species. Dr. Jefferson plans to use photo-identification techniques to build-up a long-term catalog of individuals to investigate biological aspects that will aid in future management and conservation.

After hearing Dr. Jefferson's presentation last April, our Chapter decided to make a $1000 grant in September 2009 to support his research on the Vaquita. Please join us for this important update about the most endangered cetacean in the world. Find out the latest directly from this field investigator who works at the forefront of this conservation effort. Please come out and help make a difference.

Related web pages:

• Whale Trackers - Expedition Vaquita
• ¡Viva Vaquita!
• Viva Vaquita merchandising
• Cetos Research - Vaquita Project
• Save the Whales - Help Save the Vaquita
  

• Back to list of previous meetings.