This project was selected in the first round of the Mares de México 2026 Call for Proposals, a rescue and veterinary care project that mitigates the entanglement of sea lions by fishing gear and marine debris, with direct interventions in the field in the Gulf of California and the northeastern Pacific.
Selected Project | First Round Call for Proposals: Mares de Mexico 2026
The Sea Lion Rescue Project works to care for, rescue, and release sea lions affected by entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris, one of the most serious threats to the species in Mexico. Through direct interventions in colonies, the project reduces severe injuries and mortality, while also generating valuable information to understand and prevent this problem.
This project is led by CABET, a civil association founded in 2010 in La Paz, Baja California Sur, with over a decade of experience in marine conservation. Since 2014, it has consolidated the most specialized fieldwork in the country on mitigating sea lion entanglement, integrating applied science, technical capabilities, and inter-institutional coordination.
WHERE
The actions of the Sea Lion Rescue project are carried out in the Gulf of California, mainly in areas where there are sea lion colonies affected by nets and marine debris.
Fieldwork is carried out in:
-
San Jorge Island, Sonora
-
Consag Rock, Gulf of California
These sites present particular conditions of access, logistics and operation, so each intervention requires planning, technical expertise and coordination with local authorities and stakeholders.
Mitigating the impacts of fishing gear and marine litter on the health and welfare of sea lions through field rescues, specialized veterinary care and innovative tools, and strengthening technical capacities to expand the scope of work through a National Sea Lion Disentanglement Network.
AIM
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project aims to identify key gestation, nursery, and feeding areas of giant manta rays (Mobula birostris) in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Banderas Bay, and the Gulf of California using satellite tagging and advanced monitoring tools. Led by Dr. Madalena Cabral and supported by Mares de México, its findings will help protect critical habitats and strengthen marine conservation efforts.
HOW IT IS IMPLEMENTED
The rescues are carried out through field operations, where entangled individuals are identified and site conditions are assessed to determine the safest intervention strategy. Releases are performed using specialized disentanglement techniques and veterinary care, employing remote sedation when necessary.
IMPACT
Furthermore, the project contributes to the conservation of sea lion colonies and the strengthening of local practices for marine environmental stewardship. Sea lion rescue has become a paid activity for fishermen, raising awareness about the impact of fishing nets on marine wildlife and fostering new forms of collaboration within the region.
PROJECT SCOPE
-
More than 100 sea lions have been freed from entanglement since 2015, including pups, juveniles and adults, in different colonies in the Gulf of California.
-
Specialized veterinary care applied during rescues, reducing serious injuries and mortality associated with entanglement.
-
Systematic documentation and recording of each intervention, generating information on types of netting, materials involved and frequency of cases.
-
Implementation of monitoring and photo-identification methodologies, which allow tracking of released individuals and evaluation of results in the medium term.
-
Development of the “Diana Hook”, an innovative tool for disentanglement and prevention of entanglements in active nets, currently in the patent process.
-
Training of fishermen, government personnel and veterinary professionals in disentanglement techniques and care of sea lions in different regions of the country.
