The Sea of Cortes is greatly under threat. Unlike other endangered parts of the oceans, however, the Sea of Cortes falls entirely within the waters of one country. This accident of geography, coupled with the encouraging rise of participatory democracy in Mexico creates an important opportunity - and not a moment too soon - for all Mexicans and anyone who plans to enjoy the the Sea of Cortes in the future- to make a last stand for one of the world's greatest marine ecosystems.

Today, SeaWatch is working closely with government to design and implement practical solutions to the serious problems confronting the Sea of Cortes. For SeaWatch to become involved with any project it must be scalable, it must have measurable performance criteria, and it must be directly overseen by SeaWatch. As has been the case since it's inception, every dime donated to SeaWatch goes directly to the specific projects.

See below to find out which projects you would like to help support.

Center For Sustainable Fisheries
$20,000,000 (includes operational endowment)

If the Sea of Cortes is to provide a sustainable source of economic development for the people who live along its shores, we must have quality, reliable data. Modeled along the lines of a very successful, similar program in Alaska run by the University of Miami, the Center for Sustainable Fisheries will be crucial for the long term future of Mexico's richest sea. Click here for more information or email us directly. [link to CSF page on SeaWatch web site on Contact Us page.]

VMS Seed Financing $300,000

If what is left of the Sea of Cortes is to be saved, there MUST be strict enforcement of fishery laws. VMS or Vessel Monitoring Systems are an important and proven technological solution to monitor the locations of commercial fishing boats. Already used in Chile, Canada, the E.U. and the United States, VMS enables vast stretches of sea to be monitored at a fraction of the cost of other monitoring systems (ships or planes.) While political momentum is shifting in favor of this program, SeaWatch is actively seeking funding to supplement the start up costs (approx. $2,000 per boat.) VMS is currently SeaWatch's most important project and represents the first real opportunity to enforce the laws that SeaWatch helped pass. Email us to find out more.

Guardianes Del Mar $120,000 per year

Though VMS offers a technology solution, there also must be a human component. Guardianes Del Mar will create a Mexican state equivalent to the Fish and Game Department. Six honest wardens and a boat is all that it takes to patrol the entire coast of Baja California Sur from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto. Though the Guardianes Del Mar wardens will be legally empowered as a branch of government, SeaWatch will provide funding and oversight. Email us to find out more.

Documentary: The Sea of Cortes As It Was $50,000

As the recent landmark study by Myers and Worm shows, within 10 years of the start of commercial exploitation, a fishery is reduced by 90%. The Sea of Cortes has been fished on an industrial scale since 1980. As with many of the world's oceans, even well-intentioned fisheries laws have been implemented too little and too late, years after the major damage has been done. If we are ever to restore the Sea of Cortes, and not just maintain its productivity at current depressed levels, we must know what it once was. Fortunately, there are some fishermen who still remember the way it was. This project will document, on film, their experience and recollections so that all generations will know what the real baseline measurement should be. Email us to find out more.

Coalition for the Sea of Cortes $50,000 seed financing

Since 1949 when CONAINPES, the commercial fishing lobby, was founded, fish stocks in the Sea of Cortes have fallen 95%. If the Sea of Cortes is to be saved, conservation interests must unite to present reasonable solutions towards an economically and environmentally sustainable Sea of Cortes. To that end, Coalition for the Sea of Cortes organizes stakeholders, develops scientifically-sound and socially responsible policy alternatives, and communicates those alternatives to opinion leaders, the media, and government. Email us to find out more.

Comision Nautico $18,000 seed financing

An important development in 2003 was the special invitation by SAGARPA's Secretary Usabiaga to create a commission charged with recommending specific policies to government. This officially-sponsored commission is currently taking shape and will offer an opportunity for conservation, tourism, and sportsfishing interests to have a seat at the table as specific management recommendations for the Sea of Cortes are being formulated. This commission will ultimately be an important counterweight to the commercial fishing industry which has long enjoyed close ties to government. To maximize the effectiveness of this Comision, however, it must be adequately funded. Though in the long run it's members will provide the funding, SeaWatch is helping to identify funds for the first year of operation. It's first six months of operations have already been provided by an important friend of conservation in Mexico City. Email us to find out more.

Artificial Reef Program $30,000

In November 1999, SeaWatch sunk two boats off the coast of Espiritu Santu creating a marine habitat and new sites for local dive operators. We have since identified two other boats currently docked at Guaymas that also would make excellent artificial reefs. Though the Mexican Navy has offered to donate the ships themselves, they still must be cleaned and transported and Environmental Impact Studies must still be completed. Email us to find out more.

Marine Regulation Handout $3,500

This small but important project will fund the writing and distribution of a laminated handout explaining fishing limits, restricted areas, and restricted gear types. If people are willing to break the law, they should at least understand which laws they are breaking. Email us to find out more.

Media Outreach $3,000

Informing the public about the destruction currently taking place in the Sea of Cortes has always been a part of SeaWatch's core mission. Following each media campaign, Congressional offices are overwhelmed with phone calls demanding immediate action. This project will help fund twenty special reports. Email us to find out more.

Capacity Building $3,000 per month

Though not very sexy, SeaWatch too must pay for mundane - but critical - items like telephone lines, electricity, Internet connections, and essential travel. Email us to find out more.