Mexico races to save the vaquita marina

• One of the main targets is the endangered totoaba fish, which is found in the Gulf of California. Its swim bladder is considered a delicacy in China and sells for up to $100,000, according to Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, who works for a Mexican government agency focused on conservation.
• But other marine life like the vaquita marina are also affected, largely because they get caught in nets fishing for other species.

Details: The Mexican Navy began dropping nearly 200 blocks with hooks attached to them on Friday, saying it’s a low-cost and ongoing measure to fight poaching. Nets are the primary way people fish in the Gulf of California.

But, but: Environmentalists are worried that the Navy’s program will do more harm than good because the bricks and nets could trap fish and kill them.

• They're also worried that the government isn't doing enough to protect sea life.
• The Mexican government said last year it would no longer remove illegal fishing boats out of the protected area after violent attacks from fishermen. Now it just fines them.

What to watch: The United States requested “environmental consultations” with Mexico in February, signaling the lack of protection measures for the vaquita is in violation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.