Research &

Conservation

Research

BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES MONITORING PROJECT

Active from 2015 to 2022, PROCETUS monitors cetacean populations in Bahía de los Ángeles using standard research methods such as photo-identification and distribution surveys, helping establish the baseline for the area’s marine mammal populations.

2015-2022

Objetive

The goal of this project is to study local cetacean populations and generate essential scientific information on their abundance, diversity, spatial and seasonal distribution. This knowledge helps improve management and conservation efforts while building a stronger scientific foundation for understanding these species in the region. At PROCETUS, we conducted seven consecutive years of research in Bahía de los Ángeles, creating one of the first long-term cetacean databases for the area. Throughout this work, we recorded 310 sightings of nine different cetacean species, including: common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, killer whales, humpback whales, blue whales, Bryde’s whales, and—most notably—fin whales.

Cetacean Survey Effort

7 years of
research

400 hours
at sea

6,300
Kilometers

310
sigthings

9 cetacean
species

The Gulf of California is home to a resident population of fin whales that have become PROCETUS’ most studied species. Our research aims to review the ecological and genetic characteristics of this isolated, large whale population to better assess and understand their variability for future conservation efforts.

We have registered around 200 fin whale sightings with over 400 individuals. Using photo-identification techniques, we have successfully built the area’s fin whale catalogue, where we have identified over 200 individuals!

Fin Whale Catalogue