Species degradation in the Gulf of California – Impact on BCS

More than 60% of the ecosystems assessed show clear signs of deterioration due to overfishing and warming waters , which are altering species distribution.

Biodiversidad en peligro

1. State of biodiversity

• A recent report by the organization N-Gen, based on 41 scientific studies, reveals that thirteen taxonomic groups show signs of significant decline, including fish, invertebrates, birds, and marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.

• More than 60% of the ecosystems assessed show clear signs of deterioration due to overfishing and warming waters , which are altering species distribution.

  
  

2. Main threats

• Overfishing : Giant squid ( Dosidicus gigas ), a key food source for cetaceans, has collapsed in abundance, affecting the diet of whales and sperm whales.

• Thermal increase : Marine heat waves have displaced temperate species northward and encouraged the entry of tropical species—a phenomenon called "tropicalization"—reducing fish richness by 43% and invertebrate richness by 35%.

  
  

3. Signs of resilience

• Despite the overall deterioration, some ecosystems have shown stability, and others—such as sea turtles, cardons, and juvenile mangroves—are recovering thanks to protected areas and local initiatives.

  
  

4. Why does this matter in BCS?

• Food sovereignty and livelihoods : Many coastal communities in Baja California Sur—those dedicated to fishing for red snapper, lobster, and squid—rely directly on the Gulf's natural resources. The decline in key fish populations threatens their economic livelihoods.

• Tourism and marine wildlife observation : The decline in whale sightings reduces the tourist appeal of bays such as Los Cabos and Cabo Pulmo, impacting the tourism industry that supplements local income.

• Coastal ecosystem health : By reversing the base of the food chain—phytoplankton and invertebrates—the productivity of local fisheries, the fragile link between coastal communities and the sea, is affected.

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5. Solutions underway and proposals

• Fishing refuge areas and mangrove restoration are promoting the recovery of juvenile species such as grouper and yellow snapper.

• Regenerative aquaculture —for example, the Santomar initiative—promotes sustainable breeding of spotted snapper, reducing pressure on wild populations and generating local employment.

• Responsible community and artisanal fishing : Cooperatives such as OPRE have managed to recover valuable species, such as the scallop, through local monitoring and seasonal closures.

  
  

Relevance to BCS

The Gulf of California is facing an ecological crisis with clear socioeconomic effects in Baja California Sur . The decline of key species affects fishing, tourism, and community well-being.

However, there are promising strategies: fishing resorts, regenerative aquaculture, and more responsible community fishing. Strengthening these initiatives could make a difference in securing resources for future generations.