— HOW WE PROTECT THE OCEAN
SCIENCE FOR THE ORCAS AND CETACEANS OF THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA
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.
IN OPERATION
— 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?
Ongoing work at sea to document cetacean species, including orcas — their distribution, habitat use, and behavior.
A team of scientists, students, and local service providers monitors from Bahía de La Paz to Los Cabos — the area of the Gulf with the highest documented presence of orcas and the greatest richness of cetaceans. On each outing, they record which species are present, photograph each animal to build individual identification catalogs, capture underwater sounds, and document behavior in the presence and absence of vessels.
WHAT IS IT FOR?
So that the rules protecting cetaceans are grounded in evidence and scientific knowledge.
Results will be shared and disseminated with Mexico's environmental authorities (SEMARNAT, CONANP, PROFEPA) as well as 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 the public domain so that any researcher or decision-maker can use them. Fishing and tourism communities in the area receive workshops on best practices for approaching the animals without causing harm.
HR
Dr. Hiram Rosales Nanduca
Principal Investigator · Autonomous University of Baja California Sur
WITH THE SUPPORT OF
MMAPE · Marine Megafauna and Fisheries
UABCS · Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur
— THE PROJECT IN OPERATION
ONGOING WORK AT SEA BETWEEN BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR AND THE PACIFIC.
The team sails from the port of La Paz to Isla Cerralvo — one of the areas of the Mexican Pacific with the highest presence of orcas. Each outing is a full day on the water to document which species are there, how they behave, and how they interact with vessels.
METHOD
Every sighting is recorded.
Each cetacean encounter is documented with photography, video, and underwater sound recordings.
SPECIES
One of the 7+ documented.
One of more than seven cetacean species in threatened categories documented in the Gulf of California.
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TEAM
Young people training as scientists.
Local university students receive field and laboratory training during the project, with full scholarships.
THE PLACE
Where the Gulf is richest in cetaceans.
Isla Cerralvo and the stretch between Bahía de La Paz and Los Cabos — the region with the highest presence of orcas in Mexico.
— PROJECT TRAJECTORY
WHAT WE HAVE BUILT AND WHERE IT IS HEADING.
This project is an ongoing effort of monitoring, training, and advocacy, with the same team, methodology, and locations. What is already in place lays the groundwork; what comes next ensures that science and awareness keep pace with tourism.
PRODUCTS DELIVERED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
Relationships
Years of work with fishers and tourism operators in the area. There is already a network of people who report sightings whenever they go out to sea.
Equipment
Boat, motor, vehicle, aerial camera, underwater microphone, and professional cameras. All ready, provided by the university.
Dialogue
Meetings with leaders of the fishing villages where the project operates, to coordinate dates and share results.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO
Monitoring at sea
Boat outings between Bahía de La Paz and Los Cabos, documenting species, sounds, and behaviors both in the presence and absence of vessels.
Training young people
Local students receiving training in the field and laboratory, with full scholarships during the project.
Workshops and delivery to authorities
Sessions with fishers, tour operators, and schools, along with a technical report for SEMARNAT, CONANP, and PROFEPA to support future updates to the regulations.
— THE CHANGE YOUR DONATION MAKES
THREE CONCRETE WAYS SCIENCE BECOMES PROTECTION.
Mares de México donors don't fund abstract research. They fund the decisions that come after — decisions that affect real animals, communities, and ecosystems.
01
Evidence so protection rules actually work
Mexico's regulation for swimming with and observing orcas came into effect in 2026. To update and improve it, authorities need information and data on safe distances, behavior around vessels, and seasonal routes. This project is the only one generating that evidence on an ongoing basis.
02
Public information anyone can use
The photographic catalogs to identify each animal and the underwater sound recordings remain openly accessible. Any researcher, tour operator, or authority can use them without permission. It is scientific infrastructure that outlives the project and grows over time.
03
Fishers and young people who become part of conservation
Fishers and tourism guides from the coastal villages where the project operates report sightings and receive the data back in workshops. Local university students train as scientists during the project. The science doesn't arrive from outside — it stays in the community that made it possible.
— JOIN THIS PROJECT
THE RULES ARE IN PLACE. THE SCIENCE TO BACK THEM UP IS BEING BUILT.
Mexico's rules for swimming with and observing orcas are already in effect. What is still being built is the scientific foundation that supports them and allows them to be improved. That is exactly what your support makes possible.
DIRECT CONTACT
Write to us at impacto@maresdemexico.com or via WhatsApp for questions, institutional donations, or to chat with the project team.