When I suggested reading the 4th Report of CIRVA, I myself didn’t even read it. However, a few days ago, I thought, I might as well read it. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen? Boy am I glad I forced down all 48 grueling pages. Not only was it the most detailed Vaquita paper I have ever read, it was the most optimistic. There is too much information in there for me to fully recap, but basically it states the Vaquita has a chance if the conservation process is accelerated. I strongly recommend reading it: http://www.vivavaquita.org/PDF/CIRVA2012.pdf. It actually is more fun than reading a novel.
Tag Archives: science
News Update #45
Check out ¡Viva Vaquita! and the Oceanographic Environmental Research Society’s new coloring/activity book, Anita the Vaquita! It is obviously not directed towards the older audience, but it is great for little kids! It mixes fun activities and coloring with accurate yet simple information. Even though you’re probably an adult, I recommend at least looking at it and giving it to a kid you know. If you are serious about getting an actual copy, comment with your email address and we’ll work from there. Thanks!
Quiz #4
The Vaquita has been known to science since
A) 1955.
B) 1938.
C) 1972.
D) 1958.
Fact of the Week #29
The only cetacean known to go extinct due to human activity is the Baiji, Lipotes vexillifer. In 2006, after an intense, 6-week search in all of the Baiji’s historic range, it was considered extinct. Don’t let the Vaquita be the second. Learn more about the Baiji by clicking on the links below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baiji
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/chineseriverdolphin.htm
News Update #40
A huge breakthrough was just made: this year, fishermen have received the ability to apply to the shrimp farm PROREMARCO as an alternative livelihood. This is, in a sense, another buy-out option. As in all buy-out categories, fishermen entering PROREMARCO must surrender at least one fishing permit, the boat, and fishing gear associated to it. CONANP has determined that this project needs a minimum of 62 applications to be economically viable. If you are or know any Gulf fishermen, please inform them on this subject.
News Update #38
Check out the Vaquita Conservation Program 2012: http://vaquita.tv/blog/2012/04/14/vaquita-conservation-program-2012/.
News Update #34
The Mexican government assembled a committee of international experts to assess the necessary methods to save the Vaquita. The International Committee for the Recuperation of the Vaquita (CIRVA) previously met in 1997, 1999, and 2004. Members of CIRVA met again in February 2012 and reviewed progress of the Vaquita since the last meeting. The CIRVA recommendations are in this report:
Executive summary in Spanish: http://bit.ly/ID2sQS
In English: http://bit.ly/Hrgm92
The Vaquita population is still declining and is probably made up of under 200 individual Vaquitas.
News Update #30
My younger brother and sister decided to do their Elementary School Science Project on the Vaquita! I will definitely be keeping a watchful eye on them (I can’t help myself), but it should be a good learning experience for them, and more importantly, the entire school. When I was in that school in 5th Grade, I told my class about the Vaquita and gave them brochures (see ¡VivaVaquita! website). We originally hoped to do a fundraiser, but the idea kind of drifted away. I hope this project will help teach the kids (I know I’m a kid, too) about this extremely important issue, and maybe get the fundraiser idea rolling again!
News Update #29
Thanks to Ellen DeGeneres for talking about the critical issue of fishing net entanglement on her show. You can watch her interview with Captain Dave Anderson here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DlIPKvYJ04&sns=em. If you find an entangled or injured ocean animal, call your nearby agency: http://www.savethewhales.org/strandingsD-2.html.
Fact of the Week #24
Some other names for the Vaquita are Cochito, Gulf of California Harbor Porpoise, Gulf of California Porpoise, Gulf Porpoise, Hafenschweinswal, and Marsouin du Golfe de Californie.
