Porfiria’s Story: Redefining shark conservation by turning fishermen into ocean guardians in Baja California Sur

By Climate Champions | December 10, 2024

An interview with: Porfiria Gómez, Director of the ocean conservation nonprofit, Orgcas

Country & Region: La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Breakthrough: Coastal Tourism, Marine Conservation

Beneficiaries / Impact: Shark fishing has had a significant impact on their population in Baja California. Primarily driven by the demand for shark fins and meat, an estimated 80 million sharks are killed annually worldwide. Despite regulatory efforts, the shark population continues to suffer due to overfishing and illegal fishing practices. This has led to a critical need for effective management and conservation strategies to protect these vital marine species and their ecosystems. Tourism offers a unique solution to this conservation crisis, as it’s often considered an alternative for fishing for both local and commercial operators. In Baja California Sur, particularly in areas like La Paz, tourism is on the rise—which comes with both its benefits and detriments. La Paz’s growth in tourism, reaching nearly 600,000 tourists in 2023, also poses challenges, as unregulated tourism can lead to environmental degradation and negatively impact local communities and ecosystems. The need for sustainable tourism and shark conservation go hand-in-hand, helping to maintain ecological balance while also supporting the livelihoods of local communities.

Orgcas was founded to combat the climate crisis and support the fragile shark population of Baja California Sur. This relatively new nonprofit is operated entirely by women, and it’s making bold moves to strengthen the connection between sustainable tourism and local communities that have traditionally depended on extracting from the sea for survival.

At the tail end of 40 days in the country, the Edges of Earth team sat down with Orgcas’ director, Porfiria Gómez, to hear her story—from growing up in Mexico City to moving to La Paz, starting a nonprofit, and building trust with local communities to shift the mindset from shark fishing to tourism—all by the time she turned 36. This shift is crucial in the face of the climate crisis and mass tourism, which threaten not only her home but many biodiverse places around the world.

FORGING A CONNECTION

My connection to the peninsula began in my childhood when my father was working on creating the massive Vizcaíno Reserve in Baja California Sur. This mostly land-based reserve brought me to Baja California Sur around the age of ten or eleven. Despite my immersion in the world of conservation from a young age, I didn’t fully grasp it then. But it definitely left a lasting mark on me.

Growing up, I was encouraged to explore and appreciate my own country before venturing out into the world. This led to a deep love for the peninsula and its people. Here, I also discovered my passion for photography, which eventually became my career. Creating Orgcas was almost serendipitous—everything aligned perfectly, allowing me to move to La Paz and dedicate myself full-time to this mission.

Moving from the bustling Mexico City to the remote and isolated La Paz was a significant change. It meant dealing with long waits for essentials, as everything arrives by boat or plane due to the peninsula’s length. Despite these challenges, the move was worth it. I transitioned from a crowded city to a place with fewer people but far more ocean to explore. Living by the sea connected me to nature in profound ways and introduced me to people whose lives depend on it.

Getting to know these sea-dependent communities has been an incredible journey. It’s an experience I wish everyone could have—to understand and see the dedication of those who rely on the ocean for their livelihood. This understanding has profoundly influenced Orgcas, making us more flexible in our growth and values. Initially focused solely on conservation, we realized the importance of partnering with those who have lived off the sea for generations. These families possess deep knowledge and a genuine commitment to protecting their home, making them essential partners in conservation efforts.

Spending time with elders, like lifelong shark fishermen, has shown me how their perspectives have shifted. Many were raised believing the ocean’s resources were inexhaustible. They endured many hardships and don’t want their children and grandchildren to face the same struggles. Their willingness to change and embrace conservation is incredibly inspiring and brings invaluable knowledge to our shark conservation work. Including them in our efforts has been one of the smartest and most effective strategies we’ve implemented. Their participation bridges the gap between traditional practices and modern conservation, ensuring a sustainable future for their communities and the marine ecosystems they depend on.

THE START OF SOMETHING GREAT

Our main project is called “Proyecto Tiburón,” or “Shark Project.” As top predators, sharks play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Without them, the entire food chain could collapse. We began by focusing on sharks and reaching out to shark fishermen. Initially, our understanding was limited, but we soon realized that by working with fishermen in their transition to more sustainable practices, such as eco-tourism, would better align with nature and promote a balance in the local ecosystem.

Our goal is to gradually phase out shark fishing and transition fully to tourism—following a responsible, nature-based approach that’s an alternative livelihood for fishermen.

So, we formed a group including a small number of shark fishermen and the all-women team at Orgcas to create Proyecto Tiburón, which remains our focus today.

Our goal is to gradually phase out shark fishing and transition fully to tourism—following a responsible, nature-based approach that’s an alternative livelihood for fishermen. Although we plan to explore fishing projects for less endangered species in the future, our immediate focus is on protecting the severely depleted shark populations. Finding that balance I mentioned before in our work—well, it’s crucial. When starting Proyecto Tiburón, we needed to understand the people and the area thoroughly. Before undertaking any action, it’s essential to grasp the status of the local ecosystems. We began by seeing the area through the eyes of fishermen, a process that has been and continues to be incredibly enlightening—and something admittingly I will never fully comprehend.

SURPRISING INSIGHTS 

One thing we’ve discovered working with shark fishermen since 2021 is that they don’t actually want to fish for sharks anymore. It’s challenging, dangerous work that doesn’t offer much reward. Contrary to the common narrative painting them as villains, they see it as a regular job passed down through generations. However, it’s not well-paid, it’s risky, and it’s exhausting. So, when we approached them with new opportunities, they were eager to embrace change. Fishermen have often been marginalized and have faced numerous hardships. They have been misled by various NGOs attempting unsuccessful projects. Having alternative boats for tourism and receiving training to handle clients and tourism operations is a significant shift. This journey requires understanding the place, its people, and their evolving needs. We want to be a part of that change here.

For me and the team, it initially was all about the sharks. But now, it’s just as much about creating new livelihoods for those whose current work is unsustainable within the context of ocean conservation, as I understand it. However, we soon realized it’s equally about community and culture. Many residents in the areas my team and I work depend heavily on the ocean, and the area is rapidly developing on land. What we witnessed three years ago is vastly different from the present situation.

Tourism, once seen as a potential solution, is now what I’d classify as part of the problem. We’ve seen how unregulated tourism can devastate communities and ecosystems, as evidenced in other parts of the country—ones that are very close to my home. The rapid growth in tourism here is alarming. To manage and mitigate the impact of massive tourism effectively, substantial resources, careful planning, and collaborative efforts are crucial. That’s why Orgcas is all about developing a sustainable tourism model that supports both the local community and conservation efforts, preventing the fate that has befallen other overdeveloped areas.

The fishermen we work with come from a small town called Agua Amarga, located about 50 kilometers south of La Paz. It’s near La Ventana, a village gaining fame for tourism activities like kite surfing. Along this coastline, there are around eight similar small towns. Agua Amarga, with a population of about 500, traditionally relied heavily on fishing. However, it’s becoming increasingly rare to find active fishermen there as many residents are shifting towards tourism. And this shift doesn’t always happen in a structured or sustainable manner.

THE VALUE OF OUR NATURAL WORLD

Imagine becoming spoiled by the sheer abundance of marine life. Picture a morning where you see three different species of whales, multiple species of manta rays, and countless fish on the reefs. It’s easy to take such richness for granted. This isn’t just a phenomenon for the locals but also for visitors. You might casually dismiss seeing pod after pod of dolphins, countless turtles and fish, or even a distant whale blow, simply because you’ve become accustomed to it. That’s not the reality for many other parts of the world’s oceans.

I grew up in Mexico City, where the closest ocean was in Acapulco. Sadly, Acapulco’s waters have been degraded by tourism; they’re no longer blue but brown, a stark contrast to what I see here. Tourism has its pros and cons, and one significant challenge is valuing the intangible aspects of our natural world—knowledge, biodiversity, and culture.

We, as a society, are slowly realizing that these aspects should hold value. This is why concepts like the blue economy are gaining attention. Living by the sea is widely considered to enhance the quality of life. So, why aren’t we focusing more on preserving these invaluable resources? Assigning value to these natural treasures could make sustainable tourism a more straightforward practice. The difficulty lies in quantifying what seems priceless: the richness of marine biodiversity and the cultural heritage of the communities that rely on it.

Why not recognize the value of having a local guide with deep knowledge of the area take you around? Today, this invaluable expertise often goes unrecognized. Tourists tend to want someone who can drive a boat and show them the highlights, without considering the wealth of knowledge a local guide offers. Assigning value to such expertise is challenging but why we are here—why Orgcas exists. It’s not just about a boat ride or marine sightings; it’s about the unique insights and experiences that come from someone who truly knows and loves the place. And the time and effort has been put in to help showcase that in a way that benefits all. Individual, community, the planet.

CONSERVATION AS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A MOMENT

So that’s why we need different approaches to tourism, because we need everyone to be a part of this effort somehow. Regardless of where you live, what you do, or where you work, you can contribute to conservation. It’s not solely the responsibility of NGOs and communities; it’s something everyone should embrace consciously as a way of life.

This might be controversial to say, but what I appreciate about the climate crisis is its universal impact. No matter where you are, you can see and feel its effects. While those living by the sea witness it more, climate change touches everyone. People from all walks of life are questioning why it’s so hot, so cold, or why there’s a water shortage in Mexico City, for example. Experiencing these changes firsthand, especially along the ocean, proves the urgency. There are less sharks in these waters due to overfishing, yes. But there are other factors at play here, and the climate crisis is surely to blame as well.

Even for those of us working in conservation, we have eco-anxiety. While this work can help manage it, knowing there’s people working towards solutions, witnessing ongoing changes can still be incredibly frustrating. Yet, this widespread impact might be a catalyst for action. Everyone, everywhere, is experiencing climate change. This collective experience could drive more people to act, regardless of the scale of their actions. Conservation now demands lifestyle changes—reassessing our consumption, from what we buy to what we eat to what we wear.

My life has undergone significant transformations—my diet, my clothes, my entire way of living—even the shift from living in a city to living remote. I think we should all reassess our needs and how we live. My goal is to reach as many people as possible to inspire them to make these changes. Without this shift, nothing will change here in Mexico, my home, or anywhere. I truly believe that change is possible, but it starts with us.

I’ve seen so much, through various lenses and in different qualities, and I feel it’s enough. I want to understand the world beyond just the beautiful shots coming from GoPros all the way through Red Cameras from my past work as a photographer. I want to see life through other people’s eyes, especially those who call the ocean their home. I want to see other perspectives and ways of life.

To me, coexistence is the answer. We must understand that we are part of nature, not above it. We need to stop destroying it and learn to live with it. Conservation should be a lifestyle, not an occasional act. I’ve learned that from a new family I’m creating—I’ve learned that through the shark fishermen. If I can inspire others to make conservation their way of living, then I believe my job here is done.

As told to Andi Cross in June 2024.

ABOUT THE OCEAN BREAKTHROUGHS

Resulting from the joint efforts of the Ocean & Coastal Zones community and building on the Ocean for Climate Declaration, the Ocean Breakthroughs have identified five turning points to reach by 2030 in order to achieve a healthy and productive ocean in 2050. These five turning points are focused around the most crucial ocean sectors: marine conservation, ocean renewable energy, shipping, aquatic food, and coastal tourism. Accelerated action and investments in each will help unlock the potential of the ocean as a source of solutions to the pressing challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

The scientific evidence is clear: as a major climate regulator and the largest living space on Earth, the ocean is integral to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework. The Ocean Breakthroughs are science-based targets designed to boost mitigation and adaptation efforts, for the benefit of People and Nature. They will contribute to delivering on the global campaigns led by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, namely the Race to Resilience and Race to Zero, and their respective action agendas: the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and the 2030 Breakthroughs.

ABOUT THE HLC X EDGES OF EARTH EXPEDITION

The women-led global expedition, Edges of Earth, has partnered with the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions (HLC) to bring to life the Ocean Breakthroughs initiative by sharing personal accounts and climate action stories from remote coastal communities. This media partnership will feature interview-style stories that highlight the experiences and efforts of locals, Indigenous communities, nonprofits, and ocean scientists in addressing climate change. Celebrating its one-year anniversary, Edges of Earth has traveled to 25 countries (with nearly 30+ more to go throughout 2025) working closely with diverse groups to understand and amplify their climate resilience strategies. Through this collaboration, Edges of Earth will spotlight the five Ocean Breakthroughs by showcasing diverse voices and solutions to accelerate global climate action.

Main image: Porfiria Gómez, Director of the ocean conservation nonprofit, Orgcas. Photo Credit: Marla Tomorug