Phocoena sinus
CR

Phocoena sinus

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaquita

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The vaquita faces imminent extinction primarily due to entanglement in gillnets used for illegal fishing of the totoaba fish, whose swim bladders are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Despite fishing bans and protected area designations, illegal gillnet fishing continues throughout the vaquita's range, with virtually every individual at risk of fatal entanglement. The species' extremely limited range in the northern Gulf of California makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, and its slow reproductive rate prevents population recovery even with reduced mortality.

Threat summary

Habitat

The vaquita inhabits shallow, turbid waters of the northern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, preferring depths of less than 50 meters. This marine porpoise is endemic to the Colorado River Delta region, where it favors areas with strong tidal currents and high turbidity created by the mixing of Colorado River outflow with marine waters.

Marine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryLegislationCompliance and enforcement

Other threatened species in PHOCOENIDAE

EN

Narrow-ridged Finless Porpoise

Neophocaena asiaeorientalis

Declining
VU

Neophocaena phocaenoides

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Threatened in Mexico

EN

Sloanea cuautitlanensis

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Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

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Artichoke CoralCR

Artichoke Coral

Scolymia cubensis

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Thamnophis scaligerVU

Thamnophis scaliger

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Phocoena sinus classified as Critically Endangered?
Phocoena sinus is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The vaquita faces imminent extinction primarily due to entanglement in gillnets used for illegal fishing of the totoaba fish, whose swim bladders are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Despite fishing bans and protected area designations, illegal gillnet fishing continues throughout the vaquita's range, with virtually every individual at risk of fatal entanglement. The species' extremely limited range in the northern Gulf of California makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, and its slow reproductive rate prevents population recovery even with reduced mortality.
Where does Phocoena sinus live?
Phocoena sinus occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Phocoena sinus?
The main threats to Phocoena sinus are 12.1, 5.4, 9.3, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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