The world’s tiniest marine mammal is on the brink of extinction

The world’s tiniest marine mammal is on the verge of extinction: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has issued its first-ever “extinction alert” for the vaquita, the world’s smallest and most critically endangered marine mammal, according to a statement. A study by the IWC showed that the small porpoise — found in the northernmost part of the Gulf of California in Mexico — has only 10 members of the species left. The growing decline in the number of the marine mammal is due to “entanglement in fishing nets known as gillnets which are now illegal in the area.” The IWC stressed the necessity of 100% enforcement of the gillnet ban and net removals to reverse the decline in numbers.