The vaquita, a diminutive Mexican porpoise feared near-extinct, made a big splash at a world whaling meeting on Tuesday with pleas to arrest illegal fishing to prevent its extermination.

Sometimes referred to as Mexico's "panda of the sea", there were a mere 59 known vaquitas by the end of last year, according to reports to the International Whaling Commission.

Then in March, three were found dead in fishing nets.