Fishing with a Porpoise: Economic Incentives and Human Dimensions of Conservation Must Align with Regulatory Efforts to Save the Vaquita

By Marissa Christine Grenon

Fondly nicknamed the “panda of the sea” for its prominent eye markings, the vaquita is the world’s most critically endangered marine mammal. Fishing nets illegally placed in its habitat strangle and drown the small porpoise. For decades, the global community has been aware of the vaquita’s plight; yet, despite knowing precisely where vaquitas live and what is killing them, efforts to save the species have resoundingly failed. This Note explores what has gone wrong in legal, policy, and programmatic efforts to save the vaquita. After tracing key dynamics that contributed to the failure of previous efforts, the Note synthesizes lessons from deterrence theory, fisheries economics, and successful endangered species campaigns to suggest approaches and legal opportunities that could bring this vulnerable species back from the brink of extinction.