Mexico – Gulf of California

Overview

The Gulf of California’s fisheries, which include shrimp, squid, tuna and sardines, account for 70% of Mexico’s fishing and contribute USD $ 900 million annually to its economy. The spectacular natural beauty of the region attracts more than 1.5 million tourists a year. Although critical to the national economy, fisheries and coastal development also threaten the very ecosystems that produce fish, attract tourism and protect the coast from storms.

Since 1996, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has protected and restored the natural resources of this region. In 2012, we launched the Marine Initiative for the Gulf of California, a ten-year effort that seeks to mobilize political will and funding in favor of the management of marine areas and the protection of 10 million hectares in order to double the areas under conservation and fishing management.

Fact Sheets and Links

• Protecting Mexico’s most important fisheries region
• Plan de acción para la conservacióny aprovechamiento sustentable de la biodiversidad terrestrey marina de la región Golfo de California y Pacífico Sudcaliforniano

Contact

Mariana Walther Mendoza
Baja Marine Initiative Coordinator
Email: mariana.walther@tnc.org

Photo credit: © Carlos Aguilera Calderón