The Sea of Cortez - Scallop diving, Hell's Channel
Locations
The Sea of Cortez
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Introduction
The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a unique corner of the Pacific Ocean. This remarkable young sea is thought to be around five million years old and home to nearly 900 species of fish and the widest variety of whales and dolphins found anywhere on Earth. Some of the greatest changes threatening the world's oceans today can be seen in this stretch of water.
Scallop diving, Hell's Channel
Overview
One of the most reclusive tribes in the Sea of Cortez, the Seri Indians are known as "guardians of the seas". There are about 400 of them alive today. Having inhabited the coast for thousands of years the Seri have developed a symbiotic method of fishing which keeps their fish stocks sustainable.
Their method of gathering scallops is simple - the diver walks along the sea bed supplied with air from an air compressor which sits on a small boat on the surface. When they have fished an area they will then rest it and move on to another type of fish. As a consequence Hell's Channel has healthy stocks.
| Importance: | The Seri people show that, fished in a responsible way, the oceans could feed the world for many years to come. |
| Dive category: | Hookah diving. This isn't recommended under any circumstances as the compressors used are often "home made" out of barrels and motors. |
| Access: | The Seri have held exclusive fishing rights to Hell's channel since 1975. They can grant access rights to outsiders. |
Interesting for
- The history of the Seri Indians
- An account of the history of Seri Indians published by the University of Arizona press
- The Seri Indians of Sonora Mexico
- Declining fish stocks and the welfare of our seas
- The Marine Conservation Society's website identifies which fish are from well managed sources
- FishOnline
BBC related content
- Oceans presenter biography: Lucy Blue
- Oceans presenter biography: Paul Rose
- Oceans image gallery: The Sea of Cortez
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