In the warm waters of the Gulf of California lives the world’s smallest and most endangered porpoise, the Vaquita. According to a report listed in a recent New York Times article, scientists estimate that there are only 30 left in the wild. Many are trapped and drown in illegal fishing nets faster than the population can recover from.

This summer, LSC Science Camp is partnering with WhaleTimes, Inc. to help raise awareness of the plight of this endangered mammal via their Celebration of Conservation program. Campers enrolled in LSC’s Creature Feature camp will participate in virtual research mission activities and Skype with real scientists where they can ask questions and learn more about what is being done to help this mammal.

This is the second year that LSC Science Camp is teaming up with Whale Times, Inc. and its partners. Last summer, our campers – doing their duty as citizen scientists – became part of the DEEPEND Consortium, investigating the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the Gulf of Mexico’s deep-sea ecosystem.

This year’s awareness endeavor is a collaboration between Whale Times, Inc., Oregon Coast Aquarium’s Oceanscape Network, and the Southwest Fisheries Research Center/NOAA Fisheries.

Click here to learn more about this summer’s courses at LSC Science Camp.