Deception on the Water: Exposing the Gill Net Threat in the Vaquita Refuge

Sea Shepherd’s mission to protect the critically endangered vaquita porpoise faces relentless challenges in the waters of the Vaquita Refuge. With fewer than ten vaquitas remaining, these elusive porpoises are pushed to the brink of extinction by criminal cartels targeting another species: the totoaba. Totoaba fish, valued at tens of thousands of dollars on the Chinese black market for their swim bladders, are driving the use of deadly gill nets in these protected waters, threatening not just the vaquita but an entire ecosystem.

A False Front for Illegal Fishing

On January 19, the Seahorse crew identified three pangas operating in the Zero Tolerance Area (ZTA). When inspected by the Mexican Navy, the fishers claimed to be using legal handlines and presented all required documentation. No nets were visible on their boats or in the surrounding waters, and they maintained enough distance from a nearby buoy, which later revealed a gill net, to avoid direct incrimination. However, their proximity to the location made them likely culprits.

The discovery of the buoy led to the retrieval of a 200-meter monofilament flounder net. The Mexican Navy handled most of the recovery, with Sea Shepherd assisting during the final stages. During this operation, part of the net became entangled in the Seahorse’s propeller, further complicating the retrieval process.

Persistent Threats Require Vigilance

In the following days, a second gill net, spanning 500 meters, was detected. This net was retrieved through a collaborative effort between Sea Shepherd and the Navy.

Protecting the Vaquita’s Future

The deceptive practices of illegal fishers and their ability to maintain plausible deniability highlight the critical need for Sea Shepherd’s constant presence in the Vaquita Refuge. With fewer than ten vaquitas left, these gill nets pose an existential threat-not only to the Laquita but to the rich marine life of the region. Sharks, sea lions, rays and countless fish fall victim to these nets, which silently devastate the ecosystem.

Your support powers this vital work. Together, we can stop the deception, retrieve every net, and protect one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth before it’s too late.

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