Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Rare porpoise faces ‘imminent extinction’
“Having discovered the vaquita less than 60 years ago, we humans have now brought it to the brink of extinction."

WWF calls for urgent global action
 
The critically endangered vaquita porpoise is facing imminent extinction unless steps are taken to address illegal fishing, WWF has said.

There are less than 30 vaquita left in the world, making it the most endangered marine mammal. The population plummeted by 90 per cent since 2011 as a result of gillnet fishing.

Illegal fishing for the critically endangered totoaba, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine, results in vaquita and other marine mammals being caught as bycatch when gillnets are used. The swim bladder of the totoaba fish is highly prized on the Asian markets, believed to cure a variety of illnesses and diseases.

A two-year ban on gillnets is due to expire at the end of May and WWF says that, despite some efforts by the Mexican Government, it has not been able to enforce the ban effectively, resulting in ‘unabated’ illegal fishing and drastic declines in the vaquita population.

Jorge Rickards, acting CEO of WWF-Mexico, said: “Having discovered the vaquita less than 60 years ago, we humans have now brought it to the brink of extinction. Their incredibly low numbers are a stark reminder of how our efforts to protect this incredible species and its habitat are falling short. Unless we act decisively today, we could lose the vaquita forever.”

According to WWF the vaquita, which is found only in the upper Gulf of California, could be extinct by 2018. Campaigners are calling for urgent global action, including a permanent, fully enforced gillnet ban, as well as proper enforcement of existing laws to stop illegal fishing and end the totoaba trade between Mexico and China.

Abandoned nets, or ‘ghost nets’ should also be removed to prevent them from catching and killing wildlife.

There is a need to provide existing, alternative fishing gear and to gain the support of local fishing communities. WWF is urging the Mexican, US and Chinese governments to work together to halt the illegal transport and sale of totoaba products. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee and CITES are being called on to hold Mexico and other governments to account if they do not take action to protect the Gulf of California.

Efforts to protect vaquita include proposals to capture the remaining population and establish a captive breeding programme. However, WWF believes that while this may be necessary as a “last resort”, its recent analysis underscores the risks involved. Any ex-situ plan must be directly linked to a long-term conservation programme for wild vaquita and their habitat, the organisation says.

A healthy Gulf of California is not only key to the vaquita’s survival, it is also vital to other marine species, and the local economy. The site is home to many ecologically and economically important marine populations, and also supports half of Mexico’s total fisheries production, which provides income, food and livelihoods to local communities. 

Illustration © Greenpeace/Marcelo Otero

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.