If Anyone Can Save Endangered Porpoises, It's Leonardo DiCaprio

Porpoise posse?

June 8, 2017

Leonardo DiCaprio has joined Mexico's president and a multibillionaire in signing an agreement aimed at saving a "critically endangered" porpoise, the Associated Pressreported Wednesday.

In a statement announcing the agreement, President Enrique Peña Nieto assured the public that Mexico understands the importance of its role in maintaining biodiversity. "That is why we have implemented an historic effort to avoid the extinction of a unique species in the world and also to protect important ecosystems," he said. Carlos Slim, a Mexican philanthropist and multibillionaire, was also part of the agreement.

In a series of tweets Wednesday, DiCaprio said he was "honored" to be a part of ensuring marine life has a future. "The temporary gill net ban put in place by the Mexican government in response to the vaquita [porpoise] crisis will be made permanent," DiCaprio said. "They're bringing new resources to prevent the next crisis in the Gulf by increasing enforcement efforts to stop illegal fishing & poaching. A plan to promote the adoption of more sustainable fishing practices will be created together w/ local organizations & communities."

There are currently less than 30 vaquita porpoises left in the wild, Reutersreported. Wednesday's move was supported by the Marisla Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and Mexican environmental organization Pronatura Noroeste.