Endangered Animals

 

Life in Our Oceans

Earth’s five oceans—the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic—cover over 70% of the planet. Studies estimate that these waters are home to between 18,000 and 35,000 species of fish, adding up to a staggering 3.5 trillion individual fish. While exact numbers are hard to verify due to factors like reproduction and fishing, it’s clear that our oceans are teeming with life.

In the northern part of the Gulf of California, a small region of the Pacific Ocean, lives the totoaba fish. This species inhabits shallow waters and estuaries in an area of about 11,600 square miles—smaller than Lake Superior. Totoaba grow up to 6 feet long and can weigh as much as 220 pounds.

Totoaba

Cocaine of the Sea

The totoaba was once plentiful in the Gulf of California, but its numbers have plummeted, leading Mexico to place it on the Endangered Species List in 1975. International protections followed, with the U.S. listing it as endangered by 1979. The totoaba has the distinction of being the first fish to be placed on the endangered species list. The species is federally protected in both the US and Mexico, meaning it is illegal to take, possess, transport, or sell totoaba.

The totoaba’s decline is driven by human greed. Often called the “cocaine of the sea,” its swim bladder, known as "fish maw," is highly prized in traditional Chinese medicine for its supposed health benefits, including improving circulation and skin health. It’s also considered a luxury delicacy, often used in high-end dishes and soups. The value of a single swim bladder is estimated to be $25,000.

Totoaba swim bladders for sale in a Chinese marketplace. 

Totoaba in China

 The totoaba’s popularity in China grew through historical maritime trade routes. Though native only to the Gulf of California, Chinese merchants discovered the fish might have medicinal properties. Over time, its swim bladder became a sought-after ingredient in both medicine and cuisine, and the black market for it has flourished in recent decades due to its status as a luxury item.

 The Impact of Illegal Fishing

 The totoaba are often caught using illegal gillnets, and factors like weak law enforcement, cartel involvement, and poor surveillance have worsened the decline of the species. Totoaba inhabit a small area near impoverished fishing communities, where the profits from illegal fishing are hard to resist.

In October 2023, at the port of San Luis, Arizona, officials seized 109 pounds of totoaba swim bladders concealed in frozen fish fillets, with an estimated value of $1.3 million. This was the second such seizure in the same year; in April 2023, another bust recovered swim bladders valued at $2.7 million.

The Domino Effect

Fishermen hunting for totoaba use gillnets, which are fishing nets that hang vertically in the water, trapping the totoaba by their gills as they try to swim through the mesh. The gillnet isn’t selective in its prey and traps more than just the totoaba. This fishing practice has caught and caused the near extinction of another species, the vaquita, a member of the porpoise family.

The vaquita, also called the “Panda of the Sea” because of the black markings around its lips and eyes, is the smallest species of porpoise. They typically grow to about 4 to 5 feet in length and weigh between 90 to 120 pounds. Females tend to be slightly larger than males. Their small size and shy nature make them elusive and difficult to observe, which has limited the amount of information scientists have been able to gather about them.

Vaquita Crisis

In 1997, the vaquita population was a mere 567. There was a documented decline from 1997 to 2012. Then in 2013, the black market demand for totoaba increased exponentially, and the use of gillnets continued. Vaquitas become entangled in the nets, unable to surface for air, and they drown. Each death brings the species closer to extinction.

Mexico has made the use of gillnets illegal in the northern end of the Gulf of California, home to both the totoaba and the vaquita. Unfortunately, illegal activity continues as fishermen cannot afford, and have not been provided with, vaquita-safe fishing methods or alternative job opportunities. Making the profits from catching the totoaba difficult to resist.

Can the Vaquita be Saved?

Several options to save the vaquita have been discussed, but only one has been attempted: a project known as VaquitaCPR, which aimed to capture and protect vaquitas in a controlled environment. In October 2017, scientists captured a female vaquita in the Gulf of California. This was a major part of their plan to establish a breeding population in captivity to save the species from extinction.

However, the attempt ended tragically. The captured vaquita exhibited signs of stress, and despite the team's best efforts, her condition worsened. After intensive care, the female vaquita died shortly after her capture. This event was devastating for conservationists and led to the abandonment of further capture attempts. The vaquita’s extreme sensitivity to stress in captivity, combined with its rapidly dwindling population, left experts with few viable options to save the species.

The failure of this rescue operation highlighted the challenges in protecting such a critically endangered species. Conservation efforts have since shifted focus back to combating illegal fishing practices, especially the use of gillnets that trap vaquitas.

The End is Near

While Mexican authorities have designated the vaquita’s home waters as a Zero Tolerance Area with no fishing allowed, enforcement is difficult and vaquitas are not restricted to that area and can swim outside the zone.

The 2024 annual vaquita survey counted only 6 to 8 vaquitas in the Zero Tolerance Zone. While there is hope that more exist outside the zone—and that is likely—the fact remains that their numbers are so low that we could have lost the very last vaquita as you read this story.

DONATIONS

To help save the totoaba, an endangered fish species found primarily in the Gulf of California, there are several organizations and initiatives focused on its conservation, as well as combating illegal fishing and the bycatch of the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. Donations can go a long way in supporting these efforts. While I have checked the following organizations through Charity Navigator, I always strongly suggest you do your own research before donating.

1. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

• Sea Shepherd has been actively involved in efforts to protect both the totoaba and the vaquita porpoise. They conduct patrols to stop illegal fishing activities and remove gillnets from the waters.
• Website: Sea Shepherd

2. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

• WWF has several programs aimed at marine conservation, including protecting endangered species like the totoaba and vaquita.
• Website: WWF

Donating to any of these organizations can directly support efforts to save the totoaba and its ecosystem. Additionally, spreading awareness about the issue also helps in the fight against illegal fishing.