The International Whaling Commission (IWC) said on Monday it has issued an extinction alert for the endangered vaquita porpoise, whose population is estimated to have shrunk to less than a dozen, marking the institution's first-ever extinction warning.
The critically endangered vaquita, the world's smallest porpoise and native to Mexico's Gulf of California, has been imperiled by illegal gill net fishing for an endangered fish called the totoaba, whose bladder is highly valued in Asia.The IWC's scientific committee highlighted in a report an 83% drop in the vaquita's population between 2015 and 2018 to only nine or 10 of the marine animals in total.
The alert, the IWC said, stems from its belief that a new mechanism is needed "to voice extinction concerns for an increasing range of cetacean species and populations." The institution, however, said it believes that a full enforcement of the ban on gill netting in the animal's core habitat could give the vaquita "a chance of recovery."
"The extinction of the vaquita is inevitable unless 100% of gillnets are substituted immediately with alternative fishing gears that protect the vaquita and the livelihoods of fishers," it said., but a trade embargo was ruled out by the U.S. government in July.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
American weapons to Mexico contribute to our nation’s fentanyl problemAmerican weapons to Mexico contribute to our nation’s fentanyl problem | Opinion
Lire la suite »
Oscars: Switzerland Picks Period Drama ‘Thunder’ as International Feature SubmissionCarmen Jaquier's debut, a coming-of-age period drama set in a small Swiss village in 1900, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last year.
Lire la suite »
Israeli minister pushes back against US, international criticism over judicial overhaulRon Dermer, Israel's strategic affairs minister, takes issue with criticism of the country's judicial reforms. As protests continue, minister gives Netanyahu government's take on the overhaul.
Lire la suite »
International app for discounted food launches in SaskatchewanThe app Too Good To Go allows businesses to sell food nearing its best before date — that would otherwise be wasted — at discounted prices.
Lire la suite »
International backlash grows after Chinese vessel fires water cannon on Philippine boats | CNNChina is facing a growing international backlash after one of its coast guard vessels used a water cannon against a Philippine boat in the South China Sea on Saturday, an incident analysts say escalates an already tense situation and could see the United States and its allies speed up plans for joint patrols in the waterway.
Lire la suite »
International Boy Scout Event Canceled Over Typhoon FearsThe organizers of the embattled World Scout Jamboree in South Korea officially ended the event early on Monday due to an incoming typhoon.
Lire la suite »