Gulf of California, Sea of Cortez

T G California ( known S Cortez S Cortés; locally known Spanish language M Cortés M Bermejo Golfo California) y water separates Bj California Peninsula Mexican mainland. I bordered y states Bj California, Bj California S, Sonora, Sinaloa. T "Gulf California" predominates p English today. T "S Cortés" preferred y local residents. T G opened p 5.3 million years g, redirecting Colorado River. Other rivers which G California include Fuerte, Mayo, Sinaloa, Sonora, Yaqui. I surface about 160,000 ˛ (62,000 square miles).

T narrow unique ecosystem. I addition range endemic creatures, hosts y migratory species, humpback whale, California Gy Whale, manta y Leatherback S Turtle. T region historically magnet world class sport fishing activities, history sporting world records.

T region history commercial fishery. S authors reported witnessing schools 160 (100 miles) g region. S argue region world still potential p commercial fisheries, because statistics fishing resources stable. B varies wildly according species being studied, Gulf's ability recuperate after years fishing remains uncertain. Moreover, changes terrestrial ecology, reduction Colorado River Gulf, negatively affected fisheries, particularly northern region.

T G California sustains large number marine mammals, y which endangered. I 900 islands important nesting sites thousands seabirds waters primary breeding, feeding, nursing grounds myriad migratory resident species. F decades, g primary source Mexico's leading marine resources, sardines anchovies. Water pollution problem G California, immediate concerns overfishing bottom trawling, which destroys eelgrass shellfish.

Efforts y Mexican government create conservation zones hampered y enforcement resources political consensus issue conservation G. T thousands kilometers coastline remote difficult police, politically powerful commercial fishing industry embrace economically viable conservation measures, stricter measures conservation. Conservation Gulf's fisheries coastlines complicated y g history -capitalization sector, direct, often negative impacts conservation measures livelihoods Mexico's coastal inhabitants. A present, Mexican government business interests promoted macro-level, tourist development vision Gulf, whose impacts ecology society there uncertain.

Coastal communities highly reliant sport fishing industry include S Felipe, S Carlos, Sonora, C S Lucas, L P, Loreto, Guaymas, Mulegé. Mazatlán, Mexican mainland's Pacific coast, depends sagging commercial fishery.

Islands

T G California contains large islands, I Ángel Guarda Tiburón Island, several smaller ones, including I Espiritu Santo I Partida which joined y narrow isthmus. T beach Ensenada Grande, I Partida, named beautiful beach Mexico beautiful world y British publication, T Travel Magazine.