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- "Sea of Cortez" redirects here. For the book by John Steinbeck, see Sea of Cortez: A Leisurely Journal of Travel and Research.
The Gulf of California (highlighted)
The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez or Sea of Cortés; locally known in the Spanish language as Mar de Cortés or, much less frequently, Mar Bermejo or Golfo de California) is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland. It is bordered by the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa. The name "Gulf of California" predominates on most maps in English today. The name "Sea of Cortés" is the one preferred by most local residents. The Gulf opened up 5.3 million years ago which allowed the Colorado River to drain into the ocean.
[edit] Modern history
It was named in honor of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (or "Cortez") by Francisco de Ulloa in 1539. Ulloa originally believed that the gulf led to the mythical Strait of Anian, which connected the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.
Melchior Díaz made extensive explorations in the area in 1540, including surveying the Colorado River which flows into the upper gulf.
[edit] Fishery
Giant Pacific Manta Ray
The narrow sea is home to a unique and rich ecosystem. In addition to a wide range of endemic creatures, it hosts many migratory species, such as the humpback whale, California Gray Whale, manta ray and Leatherback Sea Turtle. This region has historically been a magnet for world class sport fishing activities, with a rich history of sporting world records.
The region also has a rich history as a commercial fishery. Some authors have reported witnessing tuna schools more than 100 miles (160 km) long in this region. Some argue that this region is one of the few in the world that still have potential to open new commercial fisheries, because the statistics show that the fishing resource is stable. But the data are wildly variable across species, and the Gulf's ability to recuperate after years of over fishing remains uncertain. More, changes in terrestrial ecology, such as vastly reduced Colorado River flow into the Gulf, have negatively affected fisheries, particularly in the northern region.
Efforts by the Mexican government to create conservation zones have been hampered by a lack of enforcement resources and a lack of political consensus. The thousands of miles of coastline are remote and difficult to police, and the politically powerful commercial fishing industry has been slow to embrace strict conservation measures. Conservation of the Gulf's fisheries and coastlines is also complicated by a long history of over-capitalization in the sector, and the direct, often negative impacts that conservation measures have on the livelihoods of Mexico's coastal inhabitants. At present, the Mexican government and business interests have promoted a macro-level, tourist development vision for the Gulf, whose impacts on ecology and society there are uncertain.
Sea of Cortés communities that are highly reliant on the sport fishing industry include San Carlos, Sonora, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Guaymas, and Mulegé. Mazatlán, on the Mexican mainland's Pacific coast, depends on the sagging commercial fishery.
[edit] Islands
The Gulf of California contains two large islands, the Isla Ángel de la Guarda and Tiburón Island, as well as several smaller ones.
