Rescue Dolphins
Bottlenose dolphins use for mine detection (credit: Navy Marine Mammal Program)
The US Navy will assist conservation efforts for a critically endangered marine mammal, the vaquita, found only in Baja's Gulf of California. Vaquitas become trapped and drown in gill-nets used to illegally fish for the totoaba, whose bladder is dried and exported to China. Perhaps only 100 of the tiny vaquita exist, their population could be lower, and nearing reproductive extinction levels.
In announcing their program, the Navy will use their trained dolphins to search and locate vaquitas. The service has used bottlenose dolphins since the 1950's for underwater mine detection efforts after WWII. The dolphin's sonar and echolocation sounds make them uniquely effective at locating mines at sea. They can then be avoided and removed. The hope is the Navy's dolphins could help coax some vaquitas into secure bays where they can be protected from illegal fishing boats and their nets.
Conservation efforts for the vaquita have been underway for some time run by the World Wildlife Fund and the Mexican government. However, the international wildlife trade continues to impact their population. A documentary film, Sea of Shadows, was produced on this wildlife smuggling and received support for expanding vaquita protections and eliminating the illicit trade.
While there are concerns for potentially loosing captured vaquitas, it is hoped a breeding population might develop in the protected bays for future release back into the Sea of Cortez. With a population of perhaps less than 100 surviving vaquitas, there is little time to loose.
WHB