Experts say the Gulf of California requires urgent funding to address the environmental challenges threatening the health of its ecosystem. Reduced freshwater inflows, overfishing and pollution are among the key problems jeopardizing the long-term viability of the Gulf of California.
Fernando González, Director, Regional Center for Water Security (CERSHI), highlighted that in terms of financing, annual needs are estimated at between MX$400 million and MX$600 million (US$22.8 million–US$34.2 million) to halt the ongoing deterioration of the Gulf of California.
The UNAM researcher noted that a study conducted between 2021 and 2024, which analyzed interactions between continental and marine waters in the region, found that the Gulf currently receives only 20% of its historical freshwater inflows. This is the result of extensive modifications throughout the basin. The case of the Colorado River is particularly alarming, as its flow has declined from 17 billion m3 to virtually zero.
The reduction in freshwater inflows has caused a significant imbalance in the Gulf’s coastal ecosystems by altering natural salinity levels and accelerating the degradation of estuaries, wetlands and marine nursery areas. At the same time, the reduced input of nutrients and sediments has diminished biological productivity, with direct impacts on biodiversity and on fisheries that sustain numerous coastal communities.
González explained that this situation, combined with rising nutrient loads from agricultural activities, estimated at annual discharges of around 460,000t of nitrogen and fertilizers, makes it necessary to design new management strategies. In addition, the expert pointed to other pressures, including the overfishing of more than 1Mt of sardines per year, the presence of 142 mining tailings dams, many of them abandoned, and a 1°C increase in sea surface temperature over the past century as a result of climate change.
During the panel, Toward the Sustainable Development of the Gulf of California, organized by the Mexican College of Civil Engineers (CICM), González said that the creation of a Gulf of California Sustainability Fund is being evaluated as a way to address these challenges. The fund would be financed through contributions from the region’s main economic activities, reducing dependence on public fiscal resources.
The specialist emphasized that the challenges facing the Gulf of California require long-term planning, institutional changes and innovative solutions to guarantee the human right to water and promote regional development.
Mauricio Jessurun, President, CICM, underscored that the plan includes the creation of the Friends of the Gulf of California Network, along with a monitoring and evaluation system based on impact indicators, characterization of freshwater, saltwater and pollutant flows, and assessments of the impacts of desalination plants. The proposal also includes sector-specific infrastructure programs, a financial and governance system, and communication and capacity-building strategies.
The business leader said the project presents an opportunity to build evidence-based solutions with an inclusive and environmentally responsible vision, and he called for broader collaboration and support. He also highlighted the importance of the Gulf of California for its environmental, social and economic value. “What happens in this region directly affects Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora and Sinaloa, and is reflected in key issues such as water availability for human consumption, fisheries, mining, urban growth, as well as agriculture and industry,” Jessurun said.
The Gulf of California covers an area of 157,000 km2 and is home to nearly 6 million people in Mexico, in addition to 30 million people in the Colorado River Basin in the United States. It is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and contains one of the country’s greatest concentrations of ecological wealth, with 5,700 endemic species, 22 RAMSAR sites, 24 protected natural areas and 42 priority areas for terrestrial biodiversity.
From an economic perspective, regional agriculture generates around MX$77 billion annually, with 14 irrigation districts, 136,000 users and 1.4 million ha under cultivation, accounting for 50% of national wheat production and 25% of corn production. In fisheries and aquaculture, the region represents 70% of national sardine catches and 80% of shrimp farming production. In addition, the Gulf receives nearly 5 million tourists per year, generating approximately US$1 billion in revenue, while mining accounts for 11% of regional GDP.