The Gulf of California is Mexico's most productive fishing zone and an important habitat for marine mammals, sea birds, and a large diversity of fish species. The islands of northwest Mexico harbor vital bird nesting sites and dozens of endemic species of mammals, reptiles, and plants. The Foundation supports organizations in Mexico and elsewhere working to protect, value, and sustainably use these biological resources.

What We Fund
Specifically, we fund organizations working to:

Reduce the impact of the shrimp trawl fishery while also optimizing the economic value of catch. This work includes supporting science to explore alternative technologies and management scenarios, stakeholder participation in the development and implementation of optimal solutions, and facilitating connections between buyers of sustainable seafood and producers of low-impact shrimp. We assist industry in finding sensible ways to lower overall bycatch volume and decrease trawling in sensitive and ecologically important areas.

Improve the sustainability of fisheries and conservation of marine resources in Marine Protected Areas and other conservation priority areas. In Marine Protected Areas, we support the planning, community outreach, field activities, and policy analysis needed to improve their effectiveness for conservation and sustainability. Outside marine protected areas, we seek to support civil society, producers, and the government in developing resource management innovations that provide greater economic security and incentives for sustainability.

Maintain the ecological integrity of key coastal sites that are most important for marine life and birds. We support the removal of invasive species from islands, private lands conservation, and the promotion of coastal tourism that minimizes ecological impacts and provides the most durable economic benefits.

What We Do Not Fund
We do not fund conservation-related science that does not have a pivotal role in promoting marine and coastal sustainability in the Gulf of California.

Geographic Focus
We support organizations working in Northwest Mexico. This includes the coasts and marine area around the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Nayarit.

Applying for a Grant
At this time, the Gulf of California program is not considering unsolicited requests for financial support for the objectives described above.