Dear MARMAM community, In honor of International Save the Vaquita Day, we will be holding a rally outside the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C. (1911 Pennsylvania Ave, NW) on July 5, 2018 from 8-10:00am. The latest CIRVA report estimates that there are less than 30 (*THIRTY*) vaquita left in existence.
From December 2017 through May 2018, Operation Milagro IV, run by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, removed almost 78 kilometers of illegal fishing nets from the Gulf of California, the vaquita’s only habitat.
The vaquita plight is far from over, but time is not on their side. Without enforcement and dedicated efforts to vanquish illegal fishing from the Gulf and continued efforts to remove deadly fishing nets, the only vaquitas to be seen will be those in pictures and on banners asking for protection we never demanded for them! Come put on a t-shirt and help us educate and motivate to save the vaquita! It’s their very last chance...Now is the time for your voice to be heard and counted. If you've ever wanted to come to a Save the Vaquita Day rally, don't wait. Next year may be too late. *For more information on the rally go to:* Facebook event, https://www.facebook.com/events/201162623850689/, and the page on the AWI website, https://awionline.org/action- ealerts/awis-annual-rally-save-vaquita. *Rally details:* *Where*: Mexican Embassy, 1911 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC *When*: 8:00-10:00 AM, Thursday, July 5 *Directions:* Click here for the Google Map <https://goo.gl/maps/qCp3nRvB5i92> *Nearest Metro:* Farragut West (blue, orange, silver lines) *What to wear:* participants will receive a free Save the Vaquita T-shirt (while supplies last) *What to bring:* water, sunscreen, enthusiasm! We'll have signs, but feel free to bring your own tasteful sign (nothing rude or overly negative). Please do not block the sidewalk or step into the road during the rally. *RSVP:* awi@awionline.org or on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/events/201162623850689/> For more information on vaquita go to: https://awionline.org/content/report-only-30-vaquita-porpoises-remain-earth http://www.vivavaquita.org/assets/thomasetal.2017(jasa)2.pdf http://www.iucn-csg.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/CIRVA-8-Report-Final.pdf ¡Viva la Vaquita! ------------------------------