Mexico launches drones to protect endangered porpoise
Mexico launches drones to protect endangered porpoise
By Laurent Thomet (AFP) 3 hours ago in World.
Mexico's government has launched drones to back last-ditch efforts to prevent illegal fishing activities that have led to the near extinction of the vaquita marina, the world's smallest porpoise.
The navy and the environment ministry on Thursday unveiled three Arcturus T-20 unmanned aerial vehicles, armed with high-resolution cameras to police the upper Gulf of California day and night.
It is the latest step taken by the government to save the vaquita, a species found only in a small area of Mexico's northwest gulf.
"There is a lot left to be done and time is a decisive factor," Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberon, the navy's chief, said. "We can't allow our seas to see another species disappear."
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/mexico-launches-drones-to-protect-endangered-porpoise/article/471298#ixzz4Fq9VtzFX
Environment & Energy:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1127103762
