RECOVERY EFFORTS
In 1977, the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita made 9 full reports in which numerous actions were recommended. The top priority across all reports was to ban the production, possession, and use of gillnets within the range of vaquitas. Because the gillnets so commonly kill Vaquita, banning them may help the species to stabilize its numbers, reproduce, and eventually recover. In June 2017, the Mexican Federal Register permanently banned both the use and transport of gillnets providing exceptions for a couple of fish species. Entry and exit points from the Gulf of California were restricted and night fishing was also banned. After these bans were put into place, illegal fishing occurred at high rates. More thorough and stricter enforcement must be put into place to increase compliance and make a difference in preventing the extinction of vaquitas!
As an individual, you can make a difference! There are several funds directed toward the recovery of vaquitas that you can donate to such as Viva Vaquita and the Porpoise Conservation Society.
You can also symbolically adopt a Vaquita through the WWF, which also raises money to save the Vaquita!