It is currently, unfortunately, the most threatened marine mammal on the planet, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The smallest cetacean that exists is the vaquita porpoise ( Phocoena sinus) and it is endemic to the northernmost part of the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez.
This predator belonging to the porpoise family and that feeds on fish and squid, can reach 1.5 meters in length and weigh about 43-50 kilograms in its adult stage . Its body is dark gray above and light gray or almost white below. Their fins are quite large compared to other porpoises. Unlike dolphins, vaquitas are very shy – and not very social – and barely rise to the surface for a few seconds to take a breath, so it is very difficult to see a living specimen.
Despite conservation measures being put in place, the species is considered in imminent danger of extinction with just 60 specimens in the Gulf of California in North America. Its greatest threat is the indiscriminate use of nets for passive fishing for totoabas , a large fish highly valued in Chinese cuisine as an aphrodisiac food. Evolutionarily, the vaquita porpoise has no close relatives.
