— HOW WE PROTECT THE OCEAN
SCIENCE WITH A CONSCIENCE FOR THE ORCAS AND CETACES OF THE GULF
The waters of the southern Baja California Peninsula are home to one of the highest diversities of cetaceans in the world, including groups of orcas that have been consistently documented over recent years. Yet, despite the orcas' charisma, we still know very little about them. Meanwhile, the tourism of orca watching and swimming continues to grow, and although guidelines to regulate this activity were recently established, more science and awareness are still needed to ensure that it develops sustainably and does not become a threat. This project aims to contribute the science that Mexican authorities need.
— WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS
One of the few resident killer whale populations in the Mexican Pacific lives here. We still know almost nothing about them.
In the Gulf of California we know very little about orcas: we don't know how many groups there are, how they socialize with each other, what sizes they reach, among other things. And all of this is relevant because, although orcas are traditionally considered a species associated with cold waters, in the Gulf we are learning that they can live here year-round, making them a fascinating population to study.
The Gulf of California is one of the most biodiverse seas on the planet and a haven for whales, dolphins, and orcas. But in recent years, orca-watching tourism has grown faster than the regulations for doing so safely. Mexico's first official regulations for this activity came into effect in 2026—and the scientific basis for evaluating and improving them is still lacking. This project provides that basis.
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
3 years of work at sea to document who lives there and how.
Three years of work at sea to document cetacean species — including orcas — as well as their distributions, habitat use, and behavior. Over the course of 3 years, a team of scientists, students, and local service providers will conduct monitoring trips from Bahía de La Paz to Los Cabos — the area of the Gulf where the highest presence of orcas and the highest cetacean richness have been documented. During each monitoring trip, the team will record which species are present, photograph each animal to build individual identification catalogs, capture their underwater sounds, and record their behavior both in the presence and absence of vessels.
WHAT IS IT FOR?
So that the rules protecting cetaceans are based on evidence.
So that the rules protecting cetaceans are grounded in evidence and scientific knowledge.
The results will be shared and disseminated both with Mexico's environmental authorities (SEMARNAT, CONANP, PROFEPA) and with tour operators and the community, in a format that is clear and easy to use, so it can contribute to updating the operating regulations. The photographic catalogs remain in open access for any researcher or decision-maker to use. The fishing and tourism communities in the area receive workshops on best practices for approaching the animals without harming them.
HR
Dr. Hiram Rosales Nanduca
Principal Investigator · Autonomous University of Baja California Sur
WITH THE SUPPORT OF
— THE PROJECT IN OPERATION
INITIALLY, THREE YEARS OF WORK AT SEA BETWEEN BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR AND THE PACIFIC ARE CONSIDERED.
Over the course of 3 years, the team will conduct monitoring trips from Bahía de La Paz to Los Cabos — one of the areas in the Mexican Pacific with the highest presence of orcas. Each outing is a full day at sea to document which species are present, how they behave, and how they coexist with vessels.
Each sighting is recorded with photo, video and sound
Cerralvo Island — area with the highest number of orca sightings in Mexico
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Three local students are trained during the project
One of the 7+ species of cetaceans documented in the Gulf
— PROJECT TRAJECTORY
THREE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS WORK. ONE COVERED, TWO TO BE BUILT.
The project is structured in three annual cycles with the same team, methodology, and locations. The first year is already fully funded. The donors joining now ensure that the work will continue uninterrupted in years two and three.
MADE
RELATIONS
Years of work with local fishermen and tour operators have led to the establishment of a network of people who report sightings when they go out to sea.
EQUIPMENT ALREADY ACQUIRED
Boat, motor, vehicle, drone, underwater microphone, and professional cameras. All ready, valued at $700,000 pesos.
DIALOGUE
Meetings with leaders of the fishing villages where the project works, to coordinate dates and share results.
IN PROGRESS
WORK AT SEA
24 boat trips over 13 months. On each trip, the species present are documented, each animal is photographed, underwater footage is recorded, and their behavior towards boats is documented.
YOUTH TRAINING
Three local university students are trained in the field and laboratory, with a full scholarship for 13 months.
TO DO
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Sessions with fishermen, tour guides, and schools in the villages where the project works. Science returns to the community.
HANDOVER TO AUTHORITIES
Technical report, infographics and presentations for the three environmental authorities of Mexico (SEMARNAT, CONANP, PROFEPA).
PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE
Two photographic catalogs for identifying individuals, and a collection of sounds by species. Free access.
PRODUCTS TO BE DELIVERED AT THE END OF THE PROJECT
— THE CHANGE YOUR DONATION MAKES
THREE CONCRETE WAYS IN WHICH SCIENCE BECOMES PROTECTION.
Donors to Seas of Mexico don't fund abstract research. They fund decisions made afterward based on that information—decisions that affect real animals, communities, and ecosystems.
01
Evidence to prove that protection rules work
The Mexican regulations for swimming with and observing orcas came into effect in 2026. To update and improve them, authorities need evidence on safe distances, the animals' behavior around boats, and seasonal migration routes. This project is the only one continuously generating that evidence.
02
Public information that anyone can use
The photographic catalogs used to identify each animal and the underwater sound recordings are open access. Any researcher, tour operator, or authority can use them without permission. This scientific infrastructure outlives the project and grows over time.
03
Fishermen and young people who become part of conservation
Fishermen and tour guides from the coastal villages where the project operates report sightings and receive feedback in workshops. Three local university students are trained as scientists over the 13 months. The science doesn't come from outside—it stays within the community that made it possible.
— BUDGET AND GAP
THREE YEARS OF WORK. ONE COVERED. TWO TO BE BUILT.
Three-year project operating budget. The university provides the technical team; donors cover operations, student scholarships, and field trips. The first year is fully funded.
— CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Institutional counterpart
+$700,000
What we need to raise
$1,076,000
All figures are in Mexican pesos (MXN). The amounts in US dollars shown below are for reference only and depend on the exchange rate on the day of the donation. The equipment provided by the university does not require any additional expenditure. The complete budget details are available in the downloadable PDF.
— JOIN THIS PROJECT
YEAR 1 IS ALREADY COVERED. ENSURE THAT SCIENCE CONTINUES IN YEARS 2 AND 3.
Mexican regulations for swimming with and observing orcas are already in place. What's lacking is the scientific basis to support and improve them. That's what your support funds.
DIRECT CONTACT
Write to us at impacto@maresdemexico.com or via WhatsApp for questions, institutional donations, or to chat with the project team.