Earth Ocean Farms has released eight batches of totoaba juveniles into the Sea of Cortez, equating to over 210,000 juveniles, in the last nine years © EOF
Totoaba, which live solely in the Sea of Cortez, can reach lengths of up to 2 metres and weigh more than 100 kilograms. Their population has drastically decreased due to overfishing and the degradation of their habitat, which is why guaranteeing its survival is a matter of the utmost importance for institutions, conservation organisations, scientists and local communities.
“We are very excited to be able to carry out our eighth release of totoabas in the Sea of Cortez. The totoaba is an endemic species of the Gulf of California that is in danger of extinction, therefore, we must take measures to repopulate that Sea and encourage them to be as abundant as they once were," commented Israel Marqueda, commercial director of Earth Ocean Farms (EOF), in a press release.
EOF, a vertically integrated company specialising in offshore marine aquaculture, released the juveniles at Santispac Beach, in Bahía de Concepción, in Baja California Sur. This activity was performed in collaboration with the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) through its Wildlife department (DGVS), other government agencies and NGOs, and the involvement of residents of local communities, including enthusiastic young people and children, who represent the new generations and with whom is important to raise awareness about marine conservation.
"It is essential that we continue to promote these activities in which all the desired parties are involved, especially children and young people, who are the key actors to achieve greater awareness in the long term," remarked Marqueda.
Actions like these represent a key step toward the protection and preservation of biodiversity. This collective initiative demonstrates the commitment of different sectors to guarantee the survival of endangered species and save marine ecosystems for future generations.