Class 4A of the elementary school in Ober St. Veit bei Wien ran a fantastic fundraising campaign over several weeks to raise money for the endangered vaquita and the YAQU PACHA rescue project. The proud sum of 1071 euros was raised. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Class 4A for their great support. The donation will be used specifically for the rescue and preservation of the vaquita in the Gulf of California in Mexico.
YAQU PACHA is working with Pesca ABC to establish alternative fishing methods that will prevent vaquitas from ending up in the nets. These alternative techniques are based on fishing with lines and hooks and provide fishermen with particularly good quality fish. The method has been very well received and is gradually becoming established in the northern part of the Gulf of California, where the vaquita lives.
In addition, the Mexican government has sunk concrete blocks with steel hooks in the vaquita's area of distribution. This prevents illegal fishermen from fishing in this area, as they would otherwise destroy their nets.
These two methods are intended to stabilize the population of the vaquita. We hope that we will also see juveniles again during the next population census. This would be a sign that the population is recovering. We are currently assuming a total population of 8 - 10 vaquitas.
Once again, a big thank you to Class 4A and everyone who helped to raise this fantastic amount.
100% of the donations will go towards saving the vaquita and our species conservation project together with Pesca ABC.
