The Gulf of California Hope Spot, also known as the Sea of Cortez, is located between the Baja California Peninsula and the mainland of Mexico. Covering about 160,000 square kilometers, the Gulf of California covers 4,000 kilometers of coastline and reaches depths of over 3,000 meters. This area contains a very high level of marine biodiversity, including species representing one third of marine mammals on earth, numerous species of nesting and migratory seabirds, five sea turtle species, and hundreds of species of fish. The productivity in this area is due to deep ocean trenches and nutrient-rich shallow seabeds, which make it an important area for commercial and sport fishing. Unfortunately, overfishing is prevalent and coastal habitats are threatened by unregulated tourism. WWF, The Nature Conservancy, and other national and international partners are working together to strengthen and expand marine protected areas in the Gulf of California, promote sustainable fisheries, and encourage sustainable tourism and coastal development.
The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, is located between the Baja California Peninsula and the mainland of Mexico. This area contains a very high level of marine biodiversity, including species representing one third of marine mammals on earth, numerous species of nesting and migratory seabirds, five sea turtle species, and hundreds of species of fish. The productivity in this area is due to deep ocean trenches and nutrient-rich shallow seabeds, which make it an important area for commercial and sport fishing. Unfortunately, overfishing is prevalent and coastal habitats are threatened by unregulated tourism. WWF, The Nature Conservancy, and other national and international partners are working together to strengthen and expand marine protected areas in the Gulf of California, promote sustainable fisheries, and encourage sustainable tourism and coastal development.
