The Sea of Cortez - Sea lions, Los Islotes
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.
Sea lions, Los Islotes
Overview
Large colonies of Californian sea lions are found in the Sea of Cortez. Some of these colonies have been affected by a reduction in local fish stocks, perhaps due in part to overfishing. In Los Islotes however the population is thriving.
Scientific investigation has discovered that these sea lions are feeding on deep water fish that many sea lions would not ordinarily hunt for. This shows that they have at some point adapted their feeding habits in the face of changing conditions.
| Importance: | This colony of sea lions has learnt to adapt and thrive despite decreasing fish stocks. |
| Dive category: | Shallow dive or snorkel, good for all levels of diver. However, while these animals can be fun and playful they are still wild and unpredictable. |
| Access: | Numerous local tour and dive operators will take divers to the colony at Los Islotes. |
Interesting for
- Territorial nature of sea lions at Los Islotes
- This Divernet article gives an unnerving account on diving with the sea lions of Los Islotes
- Life with the 'Lions'
- The decline of Californian sea lions in the Sea of Cortez
- An extract from a scientific journal showing how a 20 per cent population decline of sea lions in two decades was calculated
- Survival rates of the Californian sea lion in Mexico
BBC related content
- Oceans ultimate dives: Lucy Blue's animal dive
- Oceans presenter biography: Tooni Mahto
- Oceans presenter biography: Philippe Cousteau
- Oceans image gallery: The Sea of Cortez
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