The Vaquita is listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List authority. There is widespread acceptance within the marine mammal community of the extremely serious situation that the species is in, and for many years it has been considered the second-most endangered cetacean species, after the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) of China’s Yangtze River.

With the recent discovery that the baiji is functionally extinct, the vaquita is now the most-endangered cetacean species in the world. Based on abundance estimated in 1997 (567) and information on life history and recent mortality rates, there are estimated to be only about 150 vaquita remaining.

Conservation of the species has been attempted through the creation of a biosphere reserve and vaquita refuge, however, implementation has been slow and the effectiveness of these measures is very much in doubt.

The government of Mexico is currently implement a plan to remove entangling nets from the vaquita’s range, compensate fishermen with alternative livelihood options, and enforce net removal. The impact of these activities on local fishing communities will be significant and the results remain to be seen.