Monday November 9, 2009, 4:46 am
This is a crucial time for the critically endangered vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus). Despite conservation efforts, the vaquita population has dropped more than 50 percent in the past three years as hundreds of porpoises have died in commercial fishing nets. Now just 150 vaquitas remain in their sole habitat, a portion of the Gulf of California off the coast of Mexico, and the species exists at the razor's edge of extinction. "Earlier programmes to alter fishing practices in the region have proven difficult to implement; last year, $1 million from the government that ostensibly paid regional fishermen not to fish instead went to buy new boats and motors."

But now the Mexican government has gone one step further, passing a resolution to ban trawling in a specific region known as the Vaquita Refuge.

Monday November 9, 2009, 5:33 am
hello claudia, nice having you back even if the news are a bit scary, but don't worry, we're still here to push for life and hey at least they are creating a sort of sanctuary, hopefully for long and to be spreaded. Noted Posted ans sealed with a kiss.

Monday November 9, 2009, 5:44 am
This is terrible, they look cute as well,hope they can be saved!!

Monday November 9, 2009, 5:48 am
Oh dear we do know how to extinct all kind of species forgetting that they are all here with a purpose.
Noted and thanks Claudia.

Monday November 9, 2009, 6:14 am
At least the Mexican government has banned trawling in Vaquita Refuge. We should welcome this and hope it reaps rewards for the poor dolphins.

************Petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/end-dolphin-slaughter-in-japan

Monday November 9, 2009, 6:48 am
These are sad times in which we live. I hope the Mexican Govt. has done enough soon enough to help.

Monday November 9, 2009, 9:17 am
What terrible news, i,m praying they can be saved, thanks Claudia.x

Monday November 9, 2009, 9:25 am
I hope and pray the Mexican government continues to keep this going.
Thanks Claudia xoxo I posted the petition on facebook that Carole listed. I've signed that one long ago. Thanks Carole for the forwards.
xxx

Monday November 9, 2009, 9:26 am
well you know it realy all boils down to the all mighty dollar,when there is nothing left of the planet,then how much will it be worth,i cant stand the greed.thanx Claudia

Monday November 9, 2009, 9:34 am
Truly sad news, I feel ill thinking about this. Yes, the world is not paying attention and will only do so when it is too late, I hate living in what scientists have dubbed as the fifth great extinction period. All of the extinctins are caused by man's greed, indefference or the nightmare of over population. Thank you Claudia for the sad by important news.

Monday November 9, 2009, 9:48 am
Thanks Claudia This is the time our Planet and Wildlife is suffering as they did thousands of years ago to ignorance, once again it's as usual repeated because people are not learning why they came back to this Planet to learn first how to care for themselves and to acknowledge the reality of our Wildlife shameful as it seems we are going to witness more and more until this Planet is cleansed of this darkness.

Monday November 9, 2009, 11:39 am
as long as man is the top predator(spell) on this planet , there will never be peace and tranquility .between man and the planet(mining,habitant destruction,deforestation)man and animals(hunting, traping , culling)man and any other species that exsists on this beautiful place we, as the discuating species call home!i wonder how many of us treat our own homes the way we treat our planet?? i so hope the mexican govt. isn't far too late with it's measures . will thy overcome the greed and ignorance?? thanks Claudia

Monday November 9, 2009, 12:35 pm
so sad i hope the mexican government keep this up nice to see you back claudia

Monday November 9, 2009, 2:08 pm
Thanks C!

This is still upsetting to me, this is happening all over...

Even after reading the article that states that the Mexican Government will stop this, don't think it will happen...This is so sad, because there are so many fishermen out there that actually don't care what they catch. They do not care about Endangered Animals, they don't care about anything except for the $$ they will get bringing in the fish.

Upsetting to me....Would love to be kept up to date on this one if you can...I am very upset about this.

Mexico is under so many problems right now, frankly I trust them about as much as I trust the U.S. politicans!

OH YEAH we will take care of it don't worry, but OOPS we failed!!!

Old and Cranky!

Monday November 9, 2009, 2:17 pm
The key words resolution to ban...It hasnt been done yet. Who is going to gaurd these sacred waters if the ban does pass??? Will it be enough??? I hope so but when a species dips this low you have to wonder. Fines had better be very very very hefty....if caught and boats seized stripped and sunk to make habitats for feeshes...

Big Gorilly hggs

Monday November 9, 2009, 2:18 pm
I'm so sad to hear that the Viquita Porpoise has halved in numbers since I read about the most extinctions of these animals. When I first read about it I made it public amongst all my friends on Facebook, most of all to those friends who joined me in fighting against the slaughter of Dolphins and Whales as they are the best people to take note of this.
Since I last read about it and now the number has gone down by more than half and that hurts me most and makes me sad as well. I signed the petition but don't know what else I can do apart from writing to the Mexican Government themselves, and that is just what we might have to do and get those fishermen who are still trawling in the area where the Vaquita lives to be put behind bars even if it is only for one night, it might scare the living daylights out of them and just do the trick to stop them trawling!
I realize that these are drastic measures but drastic circumstances ask for drastic measures. However not knowing the American and certainly not the Mexican Jail system I don't know what any of you think about this? So please will someone put me right on the American AND Mexican jurisdiction? and Jail system? I would be very greatful to have some idea so that I won't make enemies amongst the people I read from in most articles that I'm interested in!
I hope to hear from someone soon and in the meantime I make this setback known on Facebook here on Australia and hope WE can make that little bit of difference to our Vaquita, well YOUR Vaquita to be honest as I've only read about this beautiful creature.
So Please CARE 2 members put me right on a few things as I asked and I hope I can make more contributions to your articles.
Thank you!

Monday November 9, 2009, 2:21 pm
YEP ---but...ya gotta understand Mexican waters normally are not monotered....upsetting to me.

It is like all of the Countries that have no rules and other people rule...Frankly I don't understand that type of World, because I don't go there into Mexico Anymore, but, there are so many problems with people around the world just doing what they want, and this could basically be a perfect problem...hunt, fish all you want, don't care about what is Endangered YADADAD.

Monday November 9, 2009, 2:31 pm
PLEASE GOD HELP US. Mankind has to wake up to the terrible and horrific damage we are doing. There are many other ways to make a living besides killing and raping this world. We have to keep working for compassion and common sense to be the rule of ALL Nations and People. So many Vaquita''s all over the world. Words can not describe these deep loses for our planet.

Monday November 9, 2009, 5:04 pm
all for the sake of money!! just sickening!!

Monday November 9, 2009, 5:16 pm
This is beyond sad........

It is pure savagery by none other than........Man!!

Knock on wood-Plant trees for life....................

Monday November 9, 2009, 6:09 pm
Noted , thanks !!!

Monday November 9, 2009, 6:28 pm
I hope the vaquitas can be saved through the sanctuary and stopping trawling in their area, with a raising of awareness. It seems that humans do not know what they are throwing away with careless and greedy behaviour.
We should learn to share the planet and not take over every spot so that the creatures have nowhere to go safely. Beautiful dolphins -- I hope and pray they can be saved.

Monday November 9, 2009, 7:55 pm
I'm on the side of the dolphins, and I too hope enough will be done to save them permanently.

Monday November 9, 2009, 11:53 pm
Earth should swallow man up and leave only mammals and animals living on this planet

Tuesday November 10, 2009, 2:14 am
Sadly Noted & posted in other Group. Thanks Claudia

Tuesday November 10, 2009, 8:22 am
so very sad. I feel we are too late to save these wonderful creatures... I hope I am proved wrong!

Tuesday November 10, 2009, 1:26 pm
Thanks Claudia

Tuesday November 10, 2009, 5:42 pm
I just worked out that it's only a month since I heard of the Vaquita being the most endangered Popoise in the world so their numbers have halved withing a month and that is just NO good. Those who really care about Porpoises Dolphins and Whales, why not try the Monthly called SAVE THE WHALES, but I'll look that up to be correct. In last month's I read about the 10 most endangered Porpoises etc and the Vaquita was number 1, which is why I've been having a close eye on every animal page in Care2 to make sure I wouldn't read about the Vaquita. Unfortunately I seem to have been too late! Unfortunately for me I have a conciounce and don't like to write about something I read somewhere else, sorry guys!
As for the Vaquita I hope the new ruling to ban the area where the live or use as a safe haven, to the fishermen, wasn't too late. I don't quite agree with some of my fellow commentors. Fishermen who do this for a job need their money too, however I do agree that the Government should have kept a closer eye on them on how they spent the money given to them in accordance to save the Vaquita! From what I learned in school(a long time ago) the Mexicans are very poor. Is that still so? If so I can understand that they went straight out and bought new boats. Unfortunately that meant more danger to the Vaquita! I still stand by what I wrote earlier on, those who go fishing in the safe haven to the Vaquita should be jailed even if it's only for one day and night, that means one day without fishing in their "new" boat, so less income for the family and who'd get the blame? The person who was in jail because he didn't do what the government told them to do. If they have a new Boat they can go further afield for their harvest and so maybe earn more money. Has anyone ever thought of educating the fishermen? And as far as the fishing for pleasure goes that should be banned for good!!!!
The life of the Vaquita is more precious than pleasure fishing I'm afraid. Well that's how I see it anyway. I would love to go and see the Vaquita but have to stick to photo's for now as we won't be able to come to the US at all. However I went Dolphin watching last Saturday and that was the biggest thrill I've had in my life. To see the swimming right next to the doorway where I sat in my wheelchair and see them going under the bow of the boat and for the first time no fear of the water, which is my biggest fear of going on the bays and seas. But whether I was in my wheelchair I don't know but everyone was so pleased for me and it was as if the dolphins knew? They came and swam right underneath where I could see them and hadn't they been just under the water I would have been able to touch them. Tell the Mexicans about that? Let the Vaquitas grow in propotions and when there are plenty of them they can ask money to show the rich people where the Vaquita lives and how they live and what they do They and educate them. I know it's easy for me to say but try and see it that way as they'll be able to make more money that way that's for sure!
Once again I beg of you tell me a bit about the legal trends whether they can lock you up for one night just to teach you a lesson or not. Please educate me as it's not easy living in Australia and write all these things and tell you all what I think, it's easy to type it down but if you don't know much about the country you think yes let her talk we know what it's about!
Please help me to understand? I love the Sea animals and I hate to see the Vaquita to disappear!
Thank you for understanding!

Wednesday November 11, 2009, 5:21 am
This is very sad and upsetting!

Thursday November 12, 2009, 2:40 am
Sad news but the action of the Mexican Government is a step in the right direction.Better late than never I suppose.This action needs to be acted upon immediately.

Thursday November 12, 2009, 3:29 am
Thank you Claudia.

If the money was misspent then it should be accounted for legally.

God knows they use the law against the Sea Shepherd when they want to!

Poor babies

I hope the Mexican government is better at keeping there word?

Thanks,
Nick

Thursday November 12, 2009, 10:12 pm
Definitely somehow tighter reigns should have been put on the spendature of the monies given the fishermen .Did the gov,t actually believe that just because they gave them money NOT to fish that they wouldn,t ??Greed is very powerful thing.Government of all places should know that.Someday man will learn he cannot keep taking without repercussions to himself ,the EARTH and it,s inhabitants.

Friday November 13, 2009, 2:46 am
This is so amazingly sad to me! Where has the support for these finned friends been up until now?
Unfortunately it seems that it has to come to many deaths before our Governments take a step forward. And as we know in order for that to even happen, its the humanitarians that have to do exactly what we are doing right now, in order FOR IT TO HAPPEN.. So I guess all of you need to be thanked for all you do…
Thank you Claudia

Friday November 13, 2009, 10:25 pm
The wild beauty of the coastline
and the taste of sea fog remains hidden
behind the windows of passing cars.
When the last bear's skin has been taken
and the last ram's head has been mounted
and fitted with glass eyes,
we may find in them the reflection
of today's memories.
Take care, or soon our ears will strain
in vain to hear the creator's song.

Chief Dan George

Friday November 13, 2009, 11:24 pm
I misunderstood all the messages sent to me and as I now found them all I'll try and give a response to them all. In the mean time I'd like to thank Lynn for giving me some green stars although I don't understand what I've done to deserve them apart from saying what's on my mind. So please guys I'm new at this and have 35 messages waiting for me to answer to. and if I'm to give my answer to ALL of them I've got a lot of work to do. And Craig I do understand what you mean believe me. I've also made a lot of articles about Whaling and the Vaquita known on Facebook where everyone else who aren't with Care2 can read about it as well. I wish I could make all your comments public to show facebook how it's done instead of playing games all the time.