Mexico commemorates a decade of environmental efforts for conservation in the Gulf of California. The pioneering company in regenerative aquaculture Santomar celebrates the tenth anniversary of “Totoabas a la Mar” (Totoabas to the Sea).
This is an emblematic initiative that seeks to restore the population of Totoaba macdonaldi, an endemic and vulnerable species of the area.
The totoaba, one of the largest fish in the region, has been under a ban for over 30 years due to the drastic reduction of its population.
Santomar’s work in the Gulf of California: for the conservation of the totoaba
Classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its situation reflects the challenges of marine biodiversity in the face of overfishing, illegal trafficking, and the deterioration of coastal habitats.
Faced with this scenario, the “Totoabas a la Mar” program was key in promoting the regeneration of this species through a model of regenerative aquaculture, sustainable technology, and community participation.
The “Totoabas a la Mar” program.
Since its launch in 2015, the project has managed to release over 270,000 juvenile totoaba specimens into their natural ecosystem, in the Sea of Cortez, strengthening their repopulation and raising environmental awareness in coastal communities.
“This tenth anniversary is a moment of deep reflection and renewed commitment. We have seen how the release of totoabas not only regenerates the ecosystem but also transforms the bond between people and the sea,” expressed Pablo Konietzko, executive director of Santomar.
In addition to its ecological impacts, “Totoabas a la Mar” contributed to changing the societal perception of this marine species. What was once seen solely as an economic resource is now valued as a symbol of ecological and cultural regeneration.
The campaign promoted a new culture of marine environmental education, especially among children.
The annual release of totoaba specimens has become a collective ceremony that brings together girls, boys, families, and authorities in a human chain of environmental awareness.
The project celebrates 10 years.
In 2025, Santomar calls for more actors — governments, organizations, educational institutions, and citizens — to join the regenerative movement, highlighting that restoring the oceans is a global mission.
“If we can restore the health of the Sea of Cortez, we can do it anywhere in the world,” Konietzko concluded.
