DIRECTION
INAUGURATION OF CASA ORGCAS
To celebrate the o cial opening of Casa ORGCAS, an inaugural event was organized, bringing together collaborators, allies, and community members. As part of the event, the documentary *A Life on Our Planet* by David Attenborough was screened, creating a space for collective reflection on the urgency of conserving marine and coastal ecosystems.
The activity marked the symbolic beginning of a new cycle for ORGCAS, with its own space that will strengthen work in environmental education, science, and community organizing. During the event, ideas were shared, inspiring conversations were sparked, and the commitment to the territory and its conservation processes was rea rmed.
COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS
CICESE and UABCS
Progress was made in formalizing two key agreements to strengthen marine research and conservation.
ORGCAS-CICESE Agreement:
In collaboration with Dr. Armando Trasviña, an agreement was established to facilitate academic and scientific exchange between the two institutions. This agreement promotes joint projects such as the analysis of environmental variables in shark populations and the design of Marine Protected Areas based on satellite data and local knowledge. It includes shared use of infrastructure, technical advice on oceanographic modeling, and a commitment to co-authorship in scientific publications.
ORGCAS-UABCS Agreement (MMAPE Program):
This agreement aims to strengthen the monitoring of marine megafauna in the Gulf of California and the Revillagigedo Archipelago, building on research initiated in 2018. It also includes outreach activities in coastal communities, the development of educational materials, and fundraising to ensure continuous monitoring and the publication of results. The agreement will be supervised by Dr. Frida Lara (ORGCAS) and Dr. Hiram Rosales (UABCS).
Both agreements establish clear mechanisms for data protection, ethical information management, and result evaluation, laying the foundation for long-term, high-impact partnerships in marine conservation in Mexico.
STRATEGIC FUNDING
PROPOSAL MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC FUNDING
Funding strategies for the Dos Mares Biosphere Reserve Baseline Project were strengthened through the development and adaptation of two key proposals:
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STRATEGIC FUNDING
SIMI PLANETA PROPOSAL:
Strategic adjustments were made to the justification, budget, and impact metrics, aligning the project with global conservation priorities and enhancing its operational viability. A follow-up plan with the donor was established, including technical meetings and risk mitigation strategies to maximize approval chances.
GLOBAL FISHING WATCH PROPOSAL:
Titled Quantifying the Unobserved, this proposal integrates satellite technology (AIS, VMS, Sentinel-2) with local knowledge to map fishing pressure in the DMBR influence zone. With a budget of $20,000 USD, the project aims to generate practical tools for marine planning and sustainable fishing, involving key stakeholders such as fishermen, NGOs, and environmental authorities.
These actions consolidate the project’s scientific and participatory approach while strengthening alliances with strategic donors and international platforms.
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BRUVS SCIENTIFIC MONITORING AND BRUVS DEPLOYMENT
Two scientific monitoring trips were conducted, one of which included donors like Intercam. Six BRUVS (underwater cameras) were deployed to non-invasively record marine fauna, identifying priority conservation areas.
Additionally, maintenance and data retrieval were performed for temperature sensors installed nearly a year ago. Data analysis will be conducted in collaboration with the Physical Oceanography Laboratory at CICESE-La Paz and a Master’s student from Utrecht University.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
PROGRESS IN
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
SUBMITTED ARTICLE:
"Study of Sharks, Rays, and Chimeras in Cerralvo Island" (submitted to Frontiers in Marine Science). The study updates elasmobranch records using visual censuses, drones, and interviews with artisanal fishermen. It documents 28 species (16 sharks and 12 rays), including new records like Triaenodon obesus and massive aggregations of Mobula munkiana. The study highlights the urgency of conservation actions such as strengthening fishing surveillance, promoting responsible tourism, and expanding telemetry studies.
Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0322445
"First record of orcas (Orcinus orca) preying on a prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookie) in the Gulf of California: insights into shark ecology", published in Frontiers in Fish Science.
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/fish-science/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1437507/full
EXTERNAL EVALUATION BY MASTER’S STUDENTS
A group of master's students conducted an evaluation of ORGCAS's ecotourism and conservation model, applying the *FundsForNGOs Successful Ecotourism Assessment* framework and OECD evaluation criteria. They analyzed four key objectives: biodiversity, community empowerment, visitor education, and sustainable development.
As a result, they developed a replication tool to identify communities with high potential to adopt ORGCAS's model, based on local capacities, community readiness, and organizational compatibility. The evaluation also identified operational challenges, recommending a phased approach and strategic prioritization.
The review covered specific activities (baseline studies, expeditions, workshops), highlighting successes such as:
- The transition of fishers to ecotourism
- The development of educational materials
Areas for improvement included:
- Greater inclusion of women
- Strengthened policy advocacy
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Community interviews to validate empowerment perceptions.
• Public policy analysis to advance marine protected areas.
• Long-term ecological and social indicators to track impact.
PARTICIPATION IN UNOC3
ADVOCACY AND GLOBAL ALLIANCES
ORGCAS participated in the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), strengthening its international presence in marine conservation. The team engaged with initiatives like *Mangrove Breakthrough* and aligned with global goals such as protecting 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030.
Scientific Coordinator Frida Lara joined two panels: *The Art of Ocean Literacy* and *Grassroots Ocean Leadership*, highlighting local narratives, participatory science, and traditional knowledge in ORGCAS projects. This reinforced commitment to ODS, particularly ODS 14, and linked local e orts to global agendas like 30x30.
This global forum o ered essential tools to enhance policy influence and blue economy initiatives for coastal communities
PARTICIPATORY MONITORING
SHARK FISHING
A logbook format was developed to record data on artisanal shark fishing and was provided to a fisherman responsible for its completion. As part of participatory shark fishing monitoring, the first records from logbooks given to collaborating fishermen were analyzed. A total of 170 individuals were documented across 13 fishing trips, belonging to six di erent species: mako shark, blue shark, hammerhead shark (cornuda), pilot shark, orma, and gambuzo.
The figure illustrates the relative proportion of these species in the recorded catches. Notably, mako and blue sharks appeared most frequently, reflecting their significance in the local artisanal fishery. This visualization helps clarify the specific composition of catches and serves as a first step toward analyzing more complex indicators, such as fishing e ort, seasonality, and the presence of pregnant females.
This participatory data collection strengthens local monitoring and decision-making capacities. It will be essential for assessing resource sustainability and designing community-based management strategies.
Source: Shark Fishing – April 2025
Blue Pilot Orma Mako Smoothhound Hammerhead SPECIES
PARTICIPATORY VALUE
MAPPING WORKSHOP TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM OFFER IN AGUA AMARGA
In collaboration between Red, ORGCAS, and the Agua Amarga fishers’ cooperative, a participatory workshop was held to identify opportunities for creating value in the local tourism o er. The workshop began with a group dynamic aimed at defining the cooperative’s shared purpose, resulting in a collective statement built from individual and group reflections.
A Value Map was then created—a visual tool that helped identify current elements of the tourism service (environment, community, network of actors, and clients), as well as opportunities to expand their value proposition.
The activity concluded with a group reflection and the definition of next steps:
• Completion of tourism circuit forms (current and desired experiences)
• Internal operational organization, assigning roles within the cooperative (administration, promotion, operations)
• Cost analysis and financial feasibility assessment of the selected experiences
This exercise strengthens the cooperative’s organizational and commercial structure, laying the foundation for a more solid, sustainable, and far-reaching community tourism model.
PURPOSE.
To form a financially and environmentally sustainable cooperative with formal strategies to generate an economic alternative that ensures the well-being of families while preserving local culture and traditions.
• Stargazing
• Night tours of bioluminescence
• Open-water competitions
• Marine wildlife watching
• Study of endemic species such as the giant barrel cactus
There is a possibility that marine tra c may stress the animals
LOST OR DESTROYED VALUE
There are local artists who could be involved as part of the services
O ering art-related experiences as well as promoting their products to clients
There are many areas available to develop
nature tourism services: streams, the island, and endemic wildlife.
• Shark protection
• Habit of waste collection
• Less plastic pollution
• Alternative source of income
• Educational space for children to learn about the sea
• Opportunity to get to know the area
There are no services to process the fish caught by fishing groups
VALUEOPPORTUNITIES
Establishing a community fish processing facility to support the fishers’ group
Services are o ered to both international and national tourists
PURPOSE
To establish a financially and environmentally sustainable cooperative with formal strategies to generate an economic alternative that ensures the well-being of families while preserving local culture and traditions.
• Promotes environmental awareness among children
• Encourages wildlife care
There are women and youth who could be prospects for working in tourism
The client seeks cultural experiences about the place they visit; experiences based on local ways of life can be o ered
Fishing, snorkeling, and wildlife watching are available. Customized and pre-established packages
Increased confidence in public speaking for workers
• New job opportunities
• Learning opportunities
• Logistical support provided by ORGCAS
The project still has several development stages pending; there is not yet independent management capacity
• Knot-tying workshops
• Culinary experiences
VALUEOPPORTUNITIES
• Lodging in local homes or camping experiences
• Opportunities to learn about local biodiversity
There is an opportunity to better promote local products for sale
LOST OR DESTROYED
Lack of fishing permits
Spaces for the development of activities, such as the island, are private property
There are new generations that can be included in the project
Inclusion of youth in the use of technology and project management
• Development of administrative skills within the fishers’ group
• Execution of independent projects
Involving the community in the provision of services
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE ORGCAS TEAM
During the quarter, information was gathered on the professional and personal interests of ORGCAS team members regarding training and the development of new skills. Based on this, an internal process was initiated for submitting training opportunities, allowing proposals to be reviewed and supported by the leadership team.
To date, three key training sessions have been completed:
• The Environmental Education Coordinator participated in a training course on NOM-09 for Naturalist Guides and Interpreters.
• The Assistant Director completed a QGIS course.
• The entire ORGCAS team took part in a training session on the use of ArcGIS for map development.
These actions strengthen the technical capacities of the team and pave the way for establishing a continuous system of learning and professional growth within the organization.
PARTICIPATION IN
THE "SEA OF CHANGE"
FESTIVAL
ORGCAS actively participated in the third edition of the *Sea of Change* Festival: *“Wonder – Sustaining What Sustains Us”*, held on June 7–8, 2025, in La Paz, BCS. The organization hosted an informational booth where it shared its main projects focused on marine conservation, participatory science, and community-based tourism. The participation included planning, preparation of materials, coordination with three Orgquites volunteers, and the presence of the entire ORGCAS team.
Additionally, Vianney Barajas represented ORGCAS as a workshop facilitator with the activity *“Sharks and Conservation”*, aimed at the general public and focused on raising awareness about the ecological role of sharks and local actions for their protection.
This participation strengthened ORGCAS’s visibility in community and educational spaces, and allowed the organization to share its working model with a diverse and sustainability-oriented audience.
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TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR ORQUITES
In order to begin defining activities with the Orgquites —volunteers and collaborators in training— a questionnaire was conducted to learn about their interests, motivations, skills, previous experience, and availability. This information will help guide their meaningful participation in ORGCAS’s various projects.
Additionally, an informational meeting was held to welcome those who have recently joined the team. In this session, coordinated by Vianney Barajas and delivered by Frida Lara, ORGCAS’s work, lines of action, and involvement opportunities were presented.
Moreover, two meetings were held with the organization MISS to begin planning a mentorship program aimed at the Orgquites, with the goal of strengthening their learning and growth processes within the team.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Various activities were organized, mainly open to children and youth from the Agua Amarga community,
A sea outing was carried out to celebrate Earth Day and Children’s Day, combining enjoyment of the marine environment
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH
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DESIGN OF
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Together with the Tourism team, an educational itinerary proposal was developed for the two-week internship program, featuring activities focused on experiential learning related to marine conservation and community work. To enrich the training experience, contact was established with two potential allies and collaborators.
Additionally, two meetings were held with Colegio Meric from Mexico City to advance the planning and organization of the educational camp that will be conducted in collaboration with this institution.
EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH MATERIALS
Materials were acquired to support the development of educational field activities, aimed at strengthening learning processes within the community. Furthermore, various visual and didactic resources were created, including informational posters for educational events, a thematic memory game, marine mammal identification cards, and infographics.
MOBULAS OF THE MEXICAN
PACIFIC AND GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MARINE MAMMALS
OF THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA
Blue Whale
Sperm Whale
Fin Whale
Humpback Whale
TOURISM OPERATIONS
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM OPERATIONS
With the aim of improving the organization and monitoring of the boats involved in ORGCAS’s tourism activities, an Excel database was created to consolidate key information about the pangas, including compliance with operational requirements and the expiration dates of their o cial documents. This tool provides an updated overview and facilitates activity planning, as well as support for the tourism operators in regularizing their permits.
MONITORING OF TOURIST OUTINGS
Each month, a summary of tourist outings is prepared with the aim of measuring the impact of the activities, identifying peak periods, and facilitating comparisons with previous years. This monitoring also allows for evaluating the performance of the community-based tourism model and making informed decisions to strengthen it.
During the quarter, a total of 41 tourist outings were organized by ORGCAS together with the Proyecto Tiburón cooperative. Approximately 80 to 100 people participated in these outings, mainly visitors interested in nature experiences and marine conservation.
BEGINNING OF PARTNERSHIP WITH AFEET
We have initiated a new collaboration with AFEET (Women Executives Association of Tourism Companies of the Mexican Republic) with the purpose of strengthening strategic ties in the tourism sector focused on sustainability and conservation.
As a first approach, we organized a sea outing where AFEET members could experience firsthand our community tours. During the activity, they learned about the responsible tourism model promoted by ORGCAS and were introduced to the Proyecto Tiburón, highlighting the joint work with local fishermen for the protection of marine species and the sustainable economic development of the region.
This outing laid the foundation for future collaborations aimed at promoting conscious tourism experiences with a positive impact on coastal communities.
Baja California Sur
SCIENTIFIC TOURISM
WITH DONORS FROM FUNDACIÓN INTERCAMBIANDO
A scientific tourism outing was organized with representatives from Fundación Intercambiando, aiming to strengthen relationships with our donors through direct field experiences. During the activity, knowledge about ORGCAS’s scientific work was shared, and marine wildlife observation was conducted.
Additionally, photographic material of the scientific activities and the marine environment was collected, which will be used for future communication strategies and documentation of the project’s impact.
AUDIOVISUAL DOCUMENTATION
PROYECTO TIBURÓN
As part of the communication e orts, audiovisual documentation was carried out during a sea outing alongside the fishermen of Proyecto Tiburón, with the aim of visually recording the work they carry out in the territory.
This outing involved the collaboration of ARZAC, our allied marketing company, which accompanied the ORGCAS team to capture photographic and audiovisual material of both Proyecto Tiburón and our team’s fieldwork. This documentation will contribute to future dissemination campaigns, content creation for social media, institutional reports, and fundraising strategies.
The material obtained will allow for more e ective communication of the project’s impact, as well as giving visibility to the people leading these community e orts from sustainable fishing and marine conservation.
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PROYECTO TIBURÓN
INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE
The work of Proyecto Tiburón gained international visibility through an article published in Mongabay Latam, one of the most recognized media outlets on environmental and conservation issues.
The article titled “Proyecto Tiburón: fishing community aiming to save species in the Gulf of California” highlights the joint e ort between ORGCAS and the fishing cooperative in Agua Amarga to protect shark species and strengthen sustainable fishing practices. The piece includes interviews, ecological context, and an in-depth look at the community’s commitment to marine conservation.
This type of coverage significantly expands the project’s reach, positioning the community-based work model promoted from Baja California Sur at an international level.
PARTICIPATION IN
INTERSECTORAL DIALOGUE SPACES
ORGCAS participated in a dialogue forum on the Strategy for a Just Energy Transition in Baja California Sur, as well as in an intersectoral meeting with local collectives and organizations. These spaces allowed:
• The establishment of 2–3 new strategic contacts.
• Visibility for ORGCAS’s work before actors from other sectors.
• Strengthening the team’s understanding of the energy transition process from a citizen, territorial, and community perspective.
These actions are part of a broader e ort to position ORGCAS as a key player on issues a ecting the territory beyond marine conservation, and to build collaborative networks for collective advocacy.
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WORKSHOP FOR A CAUSE
A participatory tote bag painting workshop was held as part of ORGCAS’s community awareness strategies. Six people participated in the event, personalizing their tote bags while learning in depth about the conservation project that ORGCAS promotes in the region.
TOTE BAG PAINTING WORKSHOP
100% of the attendees received information about the organization’s work, its lines of action, and the ways they can get involved or o er support. These types of creative activities help foster closer connections between the community and marine conservation e orts.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
PERFORMANCE APRIL–JULY 2025
A total of 28,703 accounts were reached through Instagram, with a 15% growth in the follower community.
A total of 158 pieces of content—including posts, reels, and stories—were shared, highlighting content related to Proyecto Tiburón, community activities, and environmental education, reaching a total of 159,912 views.
The posts with the highest engagement were those shared during our participation in Sea of Change.
Overall, a good level of engagement was observed, with a wide variation ranging from 100 to 24,000 interactions per post.
This strengthens ORGCAS’s digital presence and expands the visibility of its projects.
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FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
ORGCAS raised a total of $50,665.21 USD thanks to the generous support of various sources.
This amount came from three main funding streams:
$7,779.24 USD were donated by the general public through multiple fundraising e orts;
$28,571.43 USD came from the valuable contribution of Intercam;
$14,314.53 USD were raised through the auction held in support of the Shark Project.
These resources significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the organization and ensure the continuation of its conservation, education, and community engagement e orts.
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THANK YOU FOR BEING THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND OUR MISSION
At ORGCAS, every tagging e ort, every expedition, and every new discovery in shark science is made possible thanks to you. Your support not only drives our research but also contributes to the conservation of these key species essential to ocean health.
Thank you for being part of the change and for helping us continue making an impact!
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