José Luis Ceseña, a former poacher diver, is now committed to protecting the biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez. His experience is highlighted in a BBC documentary.
The Sea of Cortez is regarded as one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet. However, it faces increasing threats from illegal fishing and overexploitation of its resources. With over 900 species of fish, more than 70 of which are unique to this region, this sea was once nicknamed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau.
In recent decades, however, marine life has dramatically declined, causing significant damage to the seabed.
On World Oceans Day, last June 8, a documentary series called Guardians was launched, produced by United for Wildlife of Prince William’s Royal Foundation in collaboration with the BBC. It featured the story of Captain José Luis Ceseña in its latest episode. He transitioned from being a sneaky scuba diver to becoming a key defender of the biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez.
Captain José Luis has been a member of the Citizen Observer Network (COR) since 2009, after leaving illegal fishing behind. His in-depth knowledge of fishing techniques and local dynamics has been crucial in establishing effective marine protection strategies.
Now, he and his team patrol La Paz Bay to identify illegal activities and actively work with fishing communities to promote conservation.
He acknowledges the negative impact of illegal fishing and proudly shares his achievements. “When we started, there were 58 illegal boats; now, there are between six and eight, at most. For me, being a Bay Guardian, honestly, fills me with pride,” he says.
The work of these environmental watchdogs is essential to ensuring the survival of valuable species such as parrotfish, snapper, lobster, and octopus, many of which are highly valued on the market and therefore vulnerable to predation.
The Guardians documentary series aims to highlight the often-overlooked contributions of individuals who risk their well-being to protect our planet. Prince William stated that he has met several environmentalists, and this series aims to show how they are the “first line of defense”, facing great risks every day, standing between poachers and endangered species, supporting sustainable coexistence between humans and animals, and fighting habitat loss. The remaining six episodes will feature the stories of environmentalists in regions such as Sri Lanka, Africa, Brazil, and India. It will be available on the BBC Earth YouTube channel.