The world ’s little porpoise , the Phocoena sinus , is headed straight   down the path of extinction .

In 1997 , there was thought be around 570 Phocoena sinus , but by 2008 , this physical body had shrunk to 250 . Now , it is estimated there ’s around 60 left –   that ’s a 92 per centum decline in less than 20   years . According to a late paper set up by the Mexican government , scientists estimate the critically endangered porpoise will be out within five years if these movement bear on .

The   vaquita ( Phocoena sinus ) dwell in the northern part of the Gulf of California . These maritime mammals can grow to just under 1.5 meters ( 5 foot ) , hence how they got their name , which means " short cow " in Spanish .

“ We are watching this precious aboriginal species disappear before our eye , ” Lorenzo Rojas - Bracho , chair of the   International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita ( CIRVA ) and co - chief scientist of the survey , said in astatement .

So , what ’s behind this dramatic decline ? The report reason out   that illegal fishing was the prime cause .

fisherman in the Gulf of California commonly use gillnets to poach an endangered fish called the totoaba . Theuse of gillnetshas been banned in the gulf , after an “ parking brake ” bill was put in lieu in last year . However , many fisher break the law of nature since the swim vesica of the totoaba is in such high-pitched need in China , often selling for thousands of dollars per kilogram . After getting caught in these invading net , the vaquitas can sustain injuries and swim . In March alone , three vaquitas were found entanglement and dead in gillnets .

official are calling for tighter enforcement of these current laws and hope to instal a lasting ban on the use of gillnets   before it ’s too late . Already , the   Agency of Environmental Protection , the Navy of Mexico , the Federal Police , and the Department of Fisheries , have intensified the   surveillance operations to   undertake the direct offense that   surrounds the trafficking of protect nautical species in the area .

“ The Mexican government must ban all sportfishing within the vaquita ’s habitat now and until the metal money show signs of recovery .   Anything else   is just wishful cerebration , ” say Omar Vidal , CEO of theWorld Wildlife FundMexico .

He added ,   “ We can still save the vaquita , but this is our last opportunity . "