The Sea of Cortez, also known as Sea of Bermejo, is a narrow body of water located between the Baja California Peninsula, Sonora, and Sinaloa. This is one of the first things that travelers using the Cabo Airport Shuttle first admire as soon as they arrive. The Sea of Cortez has always been outstanding because of its perfect physiographic, oceanographic and ecological conditions that have allowed a great number of species to live and grow. Some of them are reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals that you can only find in this part of the world. That’s the reason why in 2005 this sea was certified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Temperature
During summertime, the areas which are closest to the open sea can be of more than 24 °C (75 °F). However, if you decide to use the Private transportation Cabo San Lucas, you will see how parts of the sea that are closest to the coast, only reach 24 °C (75 °F) most of the summer and during the wintertime, it can drop up to 9 °C.
Saline level
Unlike other tropical seas, the Sea of Cortez is known by its low saline levels along the coast, but in large part of the west coast, there is a large flow of higher saline levels of water. Also, in recent years there has been a great increase in the tide; in the northern parts, the water level has increased 9 meters.
Origin
There are many theories about the origin of the Sea of Cortez, although some of them were changed when the basin was thoroughly studied, it was concluded that it is a relatively young sea since it took 4 to 6 millions of years to take the shape as we know it now.
However, the processes that gave birth to this sea are around 60 million years old, when the North American and Pacific plates formed the Farallon plate. During the end of the Paleozoic era and the beginning of the Mesozoic, the Farallon plate began to sink under the western edge of the North American plate, which led to the formation of new mountains and a volcanic arch, one Cabo San Lucas most famous attractions. This can be seen from almost any airplane arriving at the Cabo San Lucas airport. When this process ended, the central Farallon region eventually disappeared due to a clash between the Eastern Pacific Dorsal and the North American plate, which also gave rise to the San Andreas Fault Line.
Because of this, the western part of the continent began to suffer a thinning in the earth’s crust producing an opening and causing the sinking of a part of the earth’s crust between what is now known as the Baja California peninsula and the part of the continent. Therefore, giving water access to flow from the ocean and start filling this new space.
Biodiversity
Despite its small size, it is one of the richest and most studied seas in the world. Studies have estimated that although it has a single entry of ocean water, it’s the home of about 700 to 900 different species of fish. 90% of them are endemic (species that are not found naturally in any other part of the world). Also here is the home of more than 170 species of seabirds, which take up 1/3 of the marine mammal species of the whole world, and is one of the favorite places where turtles can find food and later nest near Cabo San Lucas, there’s an estimate of 6 species of turtles. Travelers using the Cabo Airport Shuttle can witness this marvel of nature.
One of the most outstanding species of the Sea of Cortez are the vaquitas, leatherback turtles, green turtles, brown turtles, hawksbill turtles, olive turtles, loggerhead turtles, whale sharks, giant squid, killer whales, shrimp, sardines, humpback whales, sperm whales, Californian octopus with two spots, Pacific horses, and the Californian seagulls. Without a doubt, the diversity of animals has made the Sea of Cortez unique. But we want to let’s focus on one kind of species that is very important to consider.
Vaquita
This is one of the most outstanding species of the Sea of Cortez and one of the most endangered in the world. Nobody knows for sure how many vaquitas are alive today, but studies carried out in 2018 estimated there are less than 19 still alive. Unless something is done to stop this, it can be extinguished before 2021.
What has caused this problem?
It is a species that comes from the whale, dolphin and porpoise’s family. Since they are a creature a little over a meter long, they were often trapped in driftnets used to catch shrimp and totoabas. In 1975 the fishing of the later was prohibited, because it was declared a threatened species due to the exploitation by the Chinese since the bladder of this fish is considered a delicacy for them.
Considering that there is not enough protection, this type of fishing continues and therefore, also the death of the vaquitas. As of 2005 when this area was certified as a World Heritage Site, and so their protection intensified, but this effort was not enough and the vaquita´s numbers continued to decline. When the government realized what was happening, it was decided to take them into captivity to try to preserve the species.
In 2007 a group of scientists, veterinarians and conservationists decided to start a multi-million-dollar projection program to transfer half of the vaquitas to other peninsulas where they would ensure their safety. But the project was canceled because a female vaquita died due to the stress it was under from being captured, although she was later released, she couldn’t survive.
A wildlife biologist made the following comment: “It is very difficult to be fighting against the extinction of this species, while poachers, greedy cartels and corrupt officials are more concerned with capturing totoabas than protecting vaquitas.”
Vegetation
As for the vegetation in the sea, there is an estimated number of 62 species of microscopic algae and 626 types of macroalgae, in addition to beautiful coral and plankton reefs. In the land near Cabo San Lucas, we can find various types of vegetation that are common in deserts and mangroves. There’s an estimated number of 695 species of plants housed here.
Appreciate this paradise with us
Thankfully, there are many visitors and local citizens that appreciate the privilege of having this paradise and all its natural resources. When you come to Cabo San Lucas use our Cabo Airport Shuttle and we will be happy to introduce you to the magnificent Sea of Cortez. Along with many other beautiful places that you can only find here. Call us now at 011 (52) 624 242 4600 submit the contact form on this web site.
