
You Can Help Save the Vaquita Porpoise!
It is estimated that less than 60 vaquitas remain today. This could be our last chance to save the critically endangered vaquita porpoise from extinction and you can help! If every one of our social media supporters donate $1 towards Operation Milagro III, we will have enough funds to launch the campaign and employ an additional ship to protect vaquita from illegal gill nets, laid by poachers in the Gulf of California. Learn more via the link below and please donate $1 today. http://bit.ly/VaquitaHelp
A message from Captain Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Dear friends,
We are excited to announce our continued plans to save the world’s most endangered marine mammal—the vaquita porpoise. Our work in the Gulf of California last year was just the start of a longer term strategy to save vaquita and we need your help to make this campaign happen.
On May 3, 2016, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society concluded Operation Milagro II, its campaign to fight the looming extinction of the vaquita porpoise, the most endangered marine mammal in the world. With an estimate of less than 60 surviving vaquita, Sea Shepherd ships, the R/V Martin Sheen and M/V Farley Mowat (sponsored by John Paul DeJoria’s Foundation) patrolled the northernmost part of the Gulf of California in Mexico to locate and remove illegal fishing gear that entangle and drown the vaquita.
WORKING WITH THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT
During Operation Milagro II, Sea Shepherd joined forces with the Mexican Navy and removed 42 illegal gillnets and 16 longlines with a grappling hook, built by our crewmembers. The hook has been so effective that the Navy is now using one as well. The partnership with the Mexican Government has been productive and certainly made an impact in saving the lives of so many marine animals. Sea Shepherd will continue to work with PROFEPA and the Mexican government on our upcoming campaign to save vaquita.
WE HELPED SAVE SO MANY MARINE ANIMALS
Operation Milagro II saved one humpback whale, seven totoaba bass, fifty-five rays, dozens of sharks, and countless other marine animals that otherwise would have been caught. In addition to removing illegal fishing gear, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society used aerial drones to document and report poaching activities to the Mexican authorities. View our Campaign Video >
With your continued support, Sea Shepherd crews will document and expose the illegal killing of precious marine wildlife use innovative direct-action tactics to stop the slaughter. Please donate today and save the vaquita porpoise.
For the oceans,
Captain Paul Watson
Founder and Director
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
We are risk-takers. For over 40 years, we have grown from a small organization to a global movement of thousands of passionate volunteers from dozens of nations. What has never changed is our attitude.
We put ourselves on the front lines to expose the truth, save marine wildlife, conduct vital research and stop illegal activity through collaborative campaigns with communities and governments through lawful means and in accordance to international charters and declarations.