THE SEA OF CORTEZ or THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA?
We know the body of water that lies between Baja California and Sonora by both names. Which to use? The Sea of Cortez, named for the early Spanish explorer, Hernan Cortez, was once used more in Spanish. Today it has become the more quaint and romantic name for the sea. Scientists tend to call it the Gulf of California.

THE VAQUITA
Also called the Gulf of California porpoise, this is an endemic species, only found in the northern part of the Gulf of California.  Like all porpoises it has a blunt snout and spade-like teeth, and produces one calf every other year. Today the vaquita is considered the most endangered marine mammal on Earth, with probably fewer than 250 individuals left. The primary threat to this species is the use of gillnets by coastal fishermen of the region. The species’ survival depends on finding alternatives livelihoods for fishermen that depend on these fisheries or finding alternative gear for the most economically important fisheries, such as shrimp.

CETACEANS
All whales, dolphins and porpoises are cetaceans, a group of marine mammals highly adapted to aquatic life. Baleen whales are belong to the group mysticeti (“mustached sea creature”), while toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises are odonticetis (“toothed sea creature”). Did you know that the Gulf of California is home to 39% of the world’s marine mammals and a third of the world’s cetaceans.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION
"CEDO’s environmental program with Peñacso’s fifth graders has been a tremendous success. The children learn about the local ecosystems in fun and dynamic ways, and CEDO’s staff is extremely well-prepared and manages the groups well. Kids don’t have many opportunities to take field trips, or to learn about our natural resources, so we appreciate what CEDO has been able to do.”
- Profesor Jorge Carrasco, Escuela Primaria Artículo 115 Constitucional, Puerto Peñasco

SWIMMING FILE CLAM
Unlike other clams, which attach to the seafloor with byssal threads, the swimming file clam moves around the tidepools by pumping the two halves of its shell. Its orange tentacles enable it to filter food particles from the water. These delicate clams are small, not growing longer than 3-4 centimeters. If you tidepool at dusk, moving algae out the way, you’re likely to see this gem of the rocky reef.

HYDROID
A hydroid looks like a feathery plant, but it is actually a colony of animals! Its eggs rest on the branches of the ‘feathers’, which when released will grow into jellyfish. In this unique system of ‘alternating generations’ the jellyfish will then lay eggs which attach to the sea floor and grow into hydroids. One species of hydroid at Puerto Peñasco release stinging nematocysts into the water, when stimulated by changes in water pressure. Swimmers may encounter the mild stinging sensation it causes.

TIDEPOOL SHRIMP
These appropriately named organisms are found in the tidepools. They are small bodied arthropods that scavenge the intertidal. They use their insect-like eyes to search for dead animal parts. Long antennae and setae (tiny hairs on the legs and arms of the shrimp) help it to ‘see’ its environment through the sense of touch and by sensing chemicals. Using their back parts (called swimmerets) as paddles shrimp can swim and maneuver through the tidepools. Can you spot a shrimp in the tidepools? It may be difficult because its body is transparent allowing it to pass almost invisibly through the pools.

ON THE GULF
“It is one of the world's remaining wildernesses with most islands and marine areas in pristine conditions. The islands provide a dramatic setting due to their rugged forms with high cliffs and sandy beaches surrounded by turquoise waters. The diversity and abundance of marine life associated with spectacular submarine forms and high water transparency makes the region a diver's paradise. The site is considered and "ocean oasis" and the "world's aquarium" for its diversity and abundance of marine life, with 891 species of fishes, 34 cetaceans, 5 species of marine turtles and 25 species of corals. It is also important worldwide for its marine endemism, with 90 species of endemic fish. It includes 181species of birds with 90% of the world's population of Heermann’s Gulls.”
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Declaration

TOTOABA
This critically endangered fish faces both habitat loss and mortality in fishermen’s nets. Totoabas depend on the brackish water in the delta of the Colorado River to reproduce. Populations have suffered since the river’s flow has been reduced to 4% of its former level due to water use in the western United States and northern Mexico. The totoaba fishery, which reached its peaked in the middle of the last century, decimated populations during their spawning.  Shrimp trawling operations also captured an estimated 90% of the juveniles of this species as bycatch. With all these strikes against it, by the early 1970’s the totoaba became the first marine fish to be considered endangered. Totoabas can grow up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length and weigh up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds).