Sea Shepherd crews have spent over a decade in the upper Sea of Cortez defending the Vaquita Porpoise from the brink of extinction. Jacques Cousteau called the region, “the aquarium of the sea”. In spite of being endemic (non-migratory) to these nutrient-rich waters, scientists estimate only ten Vaquita remain today.

At an average length of just three feet, the Vaquita Porpoise are killed in Mexican Cartel gillnets intended for the high-value, similarly Totoaba fish, dubbed “the cocaine of the sea”. The Cartels traffic Totoaba swim bladders to China, where they fetch tens of thousands of dollars on the eastern medicine black market. The presence of these nets, designed to capture the similarly-sized totoaba have driven the Vaquita population to the brink of extinction.

Vaquita were projected to be extinct by 2021, but still hang on by a thread. Attempts to capture Vaquita for captivity study and breeding have failed. Research indicates that the animal is reproducing in the wild, and spite of its low population, there is enough genetic diversity to multiply. Sea Shepherd’s mission is clear: remove nets in the water, and prevent any new nets from entering the water.

Our new sentry-ship, the Seahorse provides 24/7 patrol capabilities in a portion of the Vaquita refuge, known as the Zero Tolerance Area (ZTA). Scientists have identified the ZTA as the last Vaquita stronghold, and fishing is restricted here. In the ZTA, Mexican Authorities have deployed anti-fishing devices and work with their own limited resources to enforce the law.

For nine months out of the year, when Cartel fishing is most active, the Seahorse patrols the Zero Tolerance Area with the Mexican Navy. Our crews sleep, eat, and work aboard this repurposed industry supply ship. When the Seahorse is in port, a small team of Sea Shepherd crewmembers remain in the Vaquita Refuge.

They utilize cutting-edge drone, thermal, and radar technology to detect illegal fishing, high resolution sonar to scan the ocean floor for illegal and discarded fishing gear, and brute force to pull the nets out of the water alongside the Mexican Navy.

Sea Shepherd has also provided two high-speed Patrol Boats – SeaHawks – for use by the Mexican Navy. We facilitate enforcement with surveillance, and help ensure enforcement by providing the Seahawks, which are maintained by the Sea Shepherd mechanic team.

Furthermore, the Seahorse features a massive work platform, which particularly shines during a net pull. Once the nets are on deck, ensnared animals are cut loose and returned to the ocean. The cleared nets are then brought to the Navy base, where Mexican Agencies and Sea Shepherd crew use a specialized grinding system installed in 2023 to destroy and recycle the nets, ensuring they never find their way back to Cartel hands. Our crews have pulled over 1000 nets from these waters.

Our onboard scientists add to years of illegal fishing data in the area. This daily data is publicly available for use by science, law enforcement, animal rights, and other parties. Scientific expertise is also critical during a net pull to correctly log and identify animals rescued.

Beyond operations and enforcement, Seahorse is a powerful science platform for the Mexican Agencies like CONANP and CONAPESCA. The ship has been frequently used as a work platform by those invested in the region. Most recently, we have facilitated the 2023 Vaquita Survey and numerous Sea Lion Rescues, which are also threatened by gillnet fishing.

This is our most-critical ongoing mission. The Vaquita’s plight highlights the devastating impact of unchecked human green and industry, and serves as a reminder of the urgent need to safeguard the balance of ecosystems and protect endangered species worldwide.

To learn more about our mission and how you can get involved visit us HERE.