International Save the Vaquita Day – July
11, 2015
This year,
Saturday, July 11, 2015 has been designated as the Third Annual International
Save the Vaquita Day!! This is intended
to be an annual event similar to Earth Day, but with a specific focus on
raising awareness and appreciation of the world’s most endangered marine
mammal, the vaquita (Phocoena sinus).
Events around the globe will direct the attention of people to the plight of
this tiny porpoise species, and what needs to be done to save it from
extinction. There will be booths, games, music, free prizes, educational
brochures, talks, face painting, and several life-size models of vaquitas on
hand to draw attention to and appreciation of the vaquita, Mexico’s “Panda of
the Sea”.
The primary
goal is to make as many people as possible aware of the vaquita and its plight,
and spur them to act. The species is nearly extinct, with only about 80
individuals left, and is declining at almost 19% per year! We will have a
simple message for folks about what they can do to help (either full support
for the Mexican Government, or support for a boycott and embargo of Mexican
seafood – depending on Mexico’s actions in the next month or so).
Secondary goals are to gather signatures for our petitions to the Mexican
government, and also to raise additional funds for future educational and
research work on the vaquita. The event is designed to be fun, as well as
educational, and kid-friendly!
Last year,
there were 18 venues, in the United States, Mexico, Australia, and
Europe. In 2015, we hope to have booths at all the same venues, plus many
new ones. We will also have the participation of zoos, aquaria, and
museums (for example, Sea World, Long Beach Aquarium, San Diego Zoo, and SD
Natural History Museum). We also hope to attract media attention, so that
the vaquita is covered on national and local news, thereby greatly expanding
the number of people exposed. Please check
our website regularly
<http://www.vivavaquita.org/international-save-the-vaquita-day.html> to
learn the latest on the activities planned and venues details. We hope you will attend (or better yet,
volunteer at) an event in your area.
Tom Jefferson
/ VIVA Vaquita
sclymene@aol.com