The Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) has taken significant measures against illegal fishing of the endangered totoaba fish species, securing eight nets and approximately 100 specimens during a recent operation carried out on March 16, 2025, in San Felipe, Baja California Sur. This important initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca (CONAPESCA) and the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (PROFEPA), showcasing a unified front against poaching and environmental degradation.
The operation took place during maritime patrol and surveillance activities aimed at preventing illegal fishing practices. Naval personnel were deployed aboard two interceptor patrols, two smaller vessels, and one vessel from the environmental organization Sea Shepherd. The officers managed to intercept the illegal nets, which measured around 15,000 meters long, and safely released seven of the captured totoaba fish, which were still alive.
The totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) is not only one of the largest fish species indigenous to the Upper Gulf of California but is also critically endangered. It has faced severe population declines due to illegal fishing, driven largely by the high demand for its swim bladder, or buche, which can sell for as much as $8,000 per kilogram on the black market. Such practices are risky not only for the totoaba itself but also threaten the vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus), another endangered species frequently caught as bycatch.
Reports from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicate alarming connections between the illegal totoaba trade and organized crime, particularly involving the Sinaloa Cartel, which is alleged to traffic the species alongside drugs. This influx of crime has worsened the decline of the totoaba, contributing to its categorization as endangered since 1991 and as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN's Red List. According to the DEA’s 2024 report, traffickers are operating increasingly brazenly, indicating the growing peril not only to the fish population but also to the broader marine ecosystem.
A spokesperson for SEMAR reported, "Siete fueron liberadas por encontrarse con vida," confirming their commitment to protect the remaining species. The same commitment was echoed by other authorities involved, emphasizing their dedication to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and combatting illegal wildlife trafficking.
The deep-rooted issue of illegal fishing also extends beyond the totoaba itself, as highlighted by the tragic cases of collateral damage to the vaquita marina. Fishermen employing illegal gillnets use methods which indiscriminately ensnare various marine species—an alarming trend leading to the very real extinction threat of the vaquita, which is now down to below 30 individuals remaining.
Illegal capture of totoaba can date back to extensive commercial fishing from 1929 to 1975, which resulted in over 500 tons caught annually, peaking at 2,261 tons just before its population collapse. What followed was decades of protection efforts, but these have proven difficult to enforce, especially against organized criminal networks.
Mexican authorities have responded to these dire circumstances by announcing action plans aimed at safeguarding the totoaba and preventing illegal capture and sale. They have implemented rigorous monitoring of fishing activity within the region and have ramped up their enforcement initiatives to strengthen protection measures within the wider marine environment, including the bet on ecological awareness.
The operations like the one recently carried out not only aim to halt illegal fishing but also serve as reminders of the complex interplay between conservation, crime, and economic interests. Authorities, through joint operations, hope to restore balance to the ecosystem and reaffirm their commitment to preserving the marine biodiversity of Mexico, which is currently under severe threat.
It remains imperative for Mexico to continue fostering inter-agency collaboration and public awareness to deter illegal fishing activities and protect the delicate ecological balance of its marine territories. SEMAR, alongside its allies, is taking tangible steps forward, but tackling the underlying causes of illegal fishing and organized crime requires comprehensive strategies and sustained effort.
Overall, this recent operation provides not only hope but also highlights the challenges the authorities face as they navigate the interplay between illegal poaching and marine conservation. Despite significant progress, much work lies ahead to secure the future of both the totoaba and the vaquita marina.