Upper Gulf of California · Vaquita Refuge · Active Operation
Saving
The Vaquita
Fewer than ten remain. Our ships are the only thing standing between them and extinction.
Upper Gulf of California · Vaquita Refuge · Active Operation
Defending the Last Vaquita Porpoise
Illegal gillnets set for totoaba have pushed the world's rarest marine mammal to the edge. Sea Shepherd crews have been on station for over a decade.
No "Undo" for Extinction
Sea Shepherd crews have spent over a decade in the Upper Gulf of California defending the vaquita porpoise. Jacques Cousteau called this region "the aquarium of the sea." Despite being endemic to these nutrient-rich waters, scientists estimate fewer than ten vaquitas remain.
At a length of less than five feet, vaquitas are killed in black-market gillnets intended for the similarly sized totoaba. The totoaba's swim bladder is trafficked overseas at prices that rival cocaine by weight. The presence of these nets has pushed the vaquita to the edge.
They were projected extinct by 2021, but they still hang on. Attempts to capture vaquitas for breeding have failed. Research indicates the animal is reproducing in the wild and that genetic diversity remains sufficient for recovery — if nets are kept out of the refuge. See the Vaquita Survey.
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What Threatens Them
Gillnets set for totoaba swim bladders, sold on the black market for extraordinary sums that have reached $80,000 per kilo, entangle vaquita as bycatch. A single illegal net can eliminate a devastating share of the remaining population.
Abandoned and drifting nets kill indiscriminately and indefinitely, trapping vaquita, sea lions, sharks, rays, and turtles long after poachers leave. Studies show that 78% of animals snared in these nets do not survive.
The gillnet crisis doesn't end at vaquita. The same nets kill dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and sea turtles across the Upper Gulf ecosystem.
The vaquita occupies one of the smallest ranges of any marine mammal on Earth. There is no backup population. This is the only stronghold.
Remove the Nets. Save the Species.
The mission is plain: remove illegal nets and prevent new nets from being set. Sea Shepherd crews work side-by-side with the Mexican Navy to patrol the refuge, recover ghost gear, and deter poachers before nets go in the water.
Ships maintain constant presence in the refuge with day and night watch. Launches cut, haul, and remove gillnets and ghost gear. Drones, thermal optics, and modern communications extend coverage far beyond what a single vessel can see.
Reports posted from vessels regularly. Full data set available on request.
Ships on station in the vaquita refuge around the clock with rotating day and night watch crews.
Fast launches cut, haul, and remove illegal gillnets and ghost gear before they kill.
Night-capable drones and thermal optics extend surveillance far beyond ship range.
Ship-to-ship coordination with the Mexican Navy for interdiction and enforcement inside the refuge.
Net removal protects the entire ecosystem — sea lions, dolphins, sharks, rays, and turtles alongside vaquita.
Seized nets are shredded and prepped for recycling at the Navy base in San Felipe — closing the loop on removed gear.
A Decade of Direct Action
Direct action at sea changes outcomes for the vaquita. Every net removed is a death prevented — not just for vaquita, but for the entire Upper Gulf marine community.
From Refuge to Recycling
Nets seized during patrol operations are transported to the Mexican Navy base in San Felipe, where they're shredded and prepped for recycling. It's not enough to pull illegal gear from the water — removing it from the supply chain permanently is what prevents re-use.
How we measure progress
Progress is tracked through patrol logs, net retrieval records, and coordinated monitoring with partner agencies. Independent vaquita detections are documented through the Vaquita Survey.
*Combining constant Sea Shepherd presence with Mexican Navy enforcement measures.
Keep the Ships On Station
Your support keeps crews at sea, pulls deadly gear, and gives the vaquita a real chance to recover in the wild. This is one of the few conservation fights where direct action is still changing the outcome.
Can I give stock, DAF, or crypto?
Yes — see all ways to give for wiring, DAF, stock, and crypto options.
Where can I see the latest population findings?
Visit the Vaquita Survey page for results and methodology.
How do I know my donation goes to the vaquita campaign?
Donations through the buttons on this page are designated for the vaquita campaign. For other giving methods, specify "Vaquita" when you give.
From the Frontlines
