Meet the crew saving the world's most endangered marine life off the coast of Mexico

SCENES shines a spotlight on youth around the world that are breaking down barriers and creating change. The character-driven short films will inspire and amaze, as these young change-makers tell their remarkable stories.

In the blue waters of Mexico's Gulf of California, dedicated conservationists are battling to safeguard the world's most endangered marine mammal. The vaquita porpoise is a small dolphin-like cetacean endemic to the region.

According to the international wildlife organisation, The World Wide Fund for Nature, "as few as ten vaquita are left" in the wild. Their population is rapidly declining, and the species is tethering on the brink of extinction.

Sea Shepherd is a non-profit marine conservation organisation whose sole mission is protecting and preserving the world's oceans and marine wildlife.

Since 2015, the Sea Shepherd crew has worked hard to safeguard the vaquita through their campaign, 'Operation Milagro'. Their newest ship, The Seahorse, patrols Mexico's waters and works with local authorities to tackle overfishing, poaching, and habitat destruction.

Mark Gibbs, one of the captains onboard The Seahorse, says: "A lot of Sea Shepherd work has been on the high seas. We've chased trawlers through long distances."

The vaquita live in a pocket of water known as 'The Vaquita Refuge'. UNESCO recognises the area; therefore, the space is protected, and gillnet fishing is banned. Despite its status, the site is home to an active artisanal fishing community.

Captain Mark told SCENES, "The vaquita is sometimes accidentally caught, particularly in poacher's nets. Poachers target fish exactly the same size as a small vaquita."

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, illegal fishing