The Vaquita porpoise from Mexico is now on the verge of extinction due to legal and illegal fishing near the northern region of the Gulf of California.

This small marine mammal is in danger from fishermen that use illegal gill nets normally used to capture large fish such as the totoaba. The totoaba is known for its bladder used for medicinal purposes, especially in China where the fish is prepared by drying it and cooking it as soup.

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Officials announced that the Vaquitas, which is also one of the world's smallest porpoises, are dwindling in numbers as they are caught in illegal totoaba nets that often lead to their deaths.

Apart from killing the Vaquitas, these nets are considered to violate many fishing and environmental regulations since the totoaba fish itself is also an endangered species. The Vaquitas are vulnerable to these gill nets legally used for catching shrimp.

The Mexican government will now use drones and satellites along with a boat fleet patrol from naval bases to monitor fishing activities in the region, according to Rafael Pacchiano from the Environment Department.

Pacchiano adds the upper Gulf of California will now ban the use of gill nets starting from 5,000 square miles. The ban will last for two years. This is an attempt to preserve and protect these rare marine mammals where fewer than 100 are thought to survive.

The Vaquita porpoises can only be found in the Gulf of California otherwise known as the Sea of Cortez.

Researchers and conservationists will develop Vaquita-safe nets for fishermen to catch shrimp. During this two year moratorium, fishermen will be compensated for their shrimp earning losses from a US$37 million recovery project.

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