"Saving the Last Vaquita: Help Us Tell This Story of Hope"

"This film needs your support. Every donation brings us closer to capturing the truth, exposing the illegal trade to china of the Totoaba and giving her friend the Vaquita, a hope to survive extinction.

Join us in making Saving the Last Vaquita a reality."

The vaquita is the smallest toothed whale, one of seven species of porpoise, and the most endangered marine mammal in the world. "And according to the latest reports only 10 are left"

With an average length of just three feet, the Vaquita Porpoise are killed in Mexican Cartel gill nets intended for the high-value, similarly-sized Totoaba fish, dubbed “the cocaine of the sea”. The Cartels traffic Totoaba swim bladders to China, where they fetch tens of thousands of dollars on the eastern medicine black market. The presence of these nets, designed to capture the totoaba have driven the Vaquita population to the brink of extinction.

China confiscated 444.3 kilograms of Totoaba swim bladders during a smuggling bust on Dec. 28, 2023.

In May, Greenpeace campaigners covered the floor of Hong Kong's international airport with dozens of fake plastic swim bladders from the Totoaba, an endangered Mexican fish, to press the government to crack down on smuggling.

Why We Need Your Help

“This documentary isn’t just about raising awareness—it’s about igniting real change.

With your support, we can fund 'The first phase' of the critical filming expeditions, undercover investigations, and work that needed to bring this story to the world.

Young Totoaba.

Two Vaquitas.

Imagine an ocean where every ripple tells a story of beauty, struggle, and hope. A world where a rare and gentle creature, the 'Vaquita', fights for survival against overwhelming odds.

The vaquita, the world’s most endangered marine mammal, is disappearing due to a tragic chain of events triggered by illegal Totoaba fishing. Their fate is intertwined with that of a fish, a culture, and communities that depend on the sea.

Photo take in march / 2025.

Saving the Last Vaquita is our ambitious documentary project aimed at shining a light on this ecological crisis. Through cinematic storytelling and investigative journalism, we will explore the intricate web of cultural tradition, environmental devastation, and organized crime that drives this crisis.

Our film will travel from the stark, haunting landscapes in the Gulf of California, where the vaquita’s struggle unfolds. To the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, where the Totoaba bladder and many other species on the brink of extinction are prized as Luxury goods.

Hong Kong 2024.

The travel Route.

We’re committed to capturing the raw reality of life on the edge. With sweeping drones footage of the breathtaking yet threatened Gulf, intimate underwater sequences that reveal the elusive vaquita in its natural habitat, and hard-hitting undercover investigations into the illegal Totoaba trade Between Mexico and Hong Kong, our documentary will bring viewers face-to-face with a crisis that has global implications.

But we can’t do it alone. We need your help to bring this critical story to life. Your donation will fund essential production costs, including high-quality filming equipment, travel expenses to remote locations, and the collaboration of local experts and communities who are fighting on the frontlines.

Every donation brings us closer to unveiling the truth, inspiring change, and mobilizing a global movement to save not just the vaquita, but the rich tapestry of life that depends on our oceans.

Join us in this urgent mission. Your support will empower us to document the truth, stir hearts, and ignite a call to action that resonates around the world. Together, we can ensure that the story of the last vaquita is not one of despair, but a powerful reminder of our capacity to protect and cherish the natural world.

Help us transform this vision into reality. Donate today and be a part of a movement that stands for hope, justice, and a future where every life in our oceans matters.

Our Partner:

SEA SHEPHERD

For over a decade, SEA SHEPHERD crews have been on the front lines in the Upper Gulf of California, fighting to protect the critically endangered vaquita porpoise from extinction. Jacques Cousteau once called this region “the aquarium of the sea,” yet despite its rich biodiversity, scientists estimate that fewer than ten vaquitas remain today.

Originally predicted to vanish by 2021, the vaquita has defied the odds, still clinging to survival. Attempts to capture and breed them in captivity have failed, but research confirms they are still reproducing in the wild. Despite their low numbers, there is enough genetic diversity for the species to recover—if they are given the chance. Sea Shepherd’s mission is clear: remove deadly fishing nets and prevent new ones from being set.

Our Statement:

As the only international organization actively fighting to save the vaquita in real time, Sea Shepherd’s work is vital. Partnering with them was deeply important to us because, as local citizens, we have witnessed firsthand their tireless, 24/7 efforts to stop the illegal Totoaba trade and create a safer future for the vaquita and other species in the Gulf of California.

Team -

Hermes López.

Mexicali mex / Las Vegas.

I was born and raised in Mexicali, Mexico—where our story begins— For long time i feel compelled to share this narrative as a call to action for our society and governments. My mission is to raise awareness about the imminent extinction of the vaquita, one of the planet's most endangered species.

I am a passionate producer in film, theater, and live events. My career spans a variety of projects—from short films and documentaries to the creation of festivals and cultural events. For three years, I have created, directed, and produced HUMANO, a film festival in Tijuana/San Diego dedicated to human and planetary rights.

Collaborating with inspiring figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú, Mexican-Indigenous soprano María Reyna, and Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels and esteemed human rights advocate, has profoundly shaped my vision of cinema. I see film as a powerful storytelling medium—one that has the ability to create meaningful impact, spark dialogue, and drive lasting change.

Currently, We distributing Yo soy la Reyna, an emotional portrait of Mixe opera soprano María Reyna, which has won multiple awards, including Best National Short Film at the Monterrey Film Festival and Best Director at Shorts México.

My passion for protecting animals and the environment fuels my journey to defend our oceans and their inhabitants from destruction.

Roberto Salvador.

Madrid/Mexico City.

As a Spanish director and editor, my career has taken me across more than twenty countries, ultimately establishing my residence in Mexico. My love for indigenous culture and cosmology is reflected in works like the multi-award-winning documentary ¿Cómo vuelan las flores?, which tells the story of a young Huasteca indigenous woman traveling to Madrid to share her embroidery and heritage.

I also directed the documentary short Diez minutos con Rigoberta, a one-on-one conversation with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú, recognized by the Mexican Institute of Anthropology and History. Currently, we are distributing Yo soy la Reyna, an emotional portrait of Mixe opera soprano María Reyna, which has won multiple awards, including Best National Short Film at the Monterrey Film Festival and Best Director at Shorts México.

Alongside my film career, I have directed advertising campaigns for major international brands such as Constellation Brands, Sony, Mattel, Fisher-Price, and Univision, while continuing my studies in screenwriting at the Faculty of Cinema in Mexico City. Always eager to explore new horizons, I am now training to become an underwater photographer.

"Each of us brings a unique perspective and a deep commitment to the art of filmmaking, using our passion and experience to tell stories that connect and transform."

!!We thank you for you support on this first phase of our documentary!!

Donor Gifts:

$100 – Name in “Thanks” film credits + link to watch after release

$300 – Above + exclusive merch gift

$500 – Above + name on our website + T-shirt or hat

$1000 – Name in “Gold Donors” credits + early access before premiere + T-shirt and hat + website credit

For larger donations, contact us to explore partnerships.

Funding Goal: $60,000

To complete Saving the Last Vaquita

Phase 1 ($14k) - Pre-production & research in 2024-2025 - Funding Done

Phase 2 ($15K) - Travel, food, gear, car/boat rentals (Sea Shepherd & San Felipe baja and Mexicali)

Phase 3 - Filming in Mexicali & Hong Kong

Phase 4 - Final interviews, post-production, permits & release

Please Donate Now and 'Save the Last Vaquita'