totoaba

Totoaba macdonaldi, commonly known as totoaba, is a large marine fish of the croaker family native to the northern Gulf of California in Mexico. It is one of the region’s most iconic and endangered species because of its exploitation for the swim bladder, which is highly valued in traditional East Asian medicine.

Description: Totoaba is a sizable, robust fish that can reach about 2 meters in length, with a deep body and a silvery to gray coloration and a dark dorsal region. It possesses an especially large swim bladder, historically sought after for commercial use.

Distribution and habitat: Its range is restricted to the upper Gulf of California, including coastal bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters off Baja California Sur and Sonora. Adults occupy shallow, productive habitats and are capable of seasonal migrations within the gulf; juveniles use nursery areas in lagoons and bays.

Biology and ecology: It feeds on crustaceans and small fish. Totoaba is believed to mature relatively late and has a long lifespan, traits that heighten vulnerability to overfishing. Spawning occurs in brackish and nearshore habitats during warmer months, though precise timing and patterns are not fully documented.

Threats and conservation: The species is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is protected under CITES Appendix I. The primary threat is illegal fishing for its swim bladder, used to supply international markets. Bycatch of the vaquita, a critically endangered porpoise, in totoaba fishing gear has further endangered both species. Conservation efforts include fishing prohibitions, protected areas in the Gulf of California, and international cooperation to reduce demand and enforce laws.