Help fishermen like Canelo safeguard their future
Meet Rogelio "Canelo" Silva—an artisanal fisherman from Santa Rosalia, Mexico, a community nestled on the Gulf of California, about halfway down the Baja peninsula. At 59 years old, Canelo, nicknamed for his cinnamon-red hair, faces the same struggles many fishermen here endure. Every day at sunrise, he sets out on his panga boat to catch yellowtail, snapper, and grouper. His family has fished these waters for generations, but the ocean they rely on is changing.
Once a global hub for Humboldt squid fishing, Santa Rosalía has seen its marine life decline due to rising sea temperatures, overfishing, habitat destruction, and industrial sardine boats sweeping nearshore waters. Local fishermen like Canelo face shrinking catches, long hours, and economic inequities that leave small-scale fishermen struggling to feed their families.
Despite these challenges, there is hope.
Through our Mulegé Sustainable Fisheries Project, Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) is working hand in hand with Canelo’s community and our local partners, Fundación Hagamos Mas, to address these challenges:
· Monitoring fish stocks and guiding sustainable fishing practices.
· Restoring critical marine habitats to allow ecosystems to recover.
· Improving local economies by connecting fishermen to fairer trade opportunities.
With the dedication of EcoWB volunteers and local partners, we’re sharing expertise, providing tools, and designing solutions that empower families like Canelo’s to thrive while protecting the environment they depend on.
Canelo’s struggles reflect those of countless communities around the world. Families who rely on natural resources for survival face mounting challenges as environmental pressures grow. But they don’t have to face these challenges alone. Together, with your support, we can create a ripple effect of hope and resilience—restoring ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods, and safeguarding the future of both people and the planet.
Why EcoWB’s Work Matters:
People depend on healthy ecosystems to survive:
Clean water, fertile soil, and thriving marine life provide food, livelihoods, and security for billions. But when ecosystems are degraded or disrupted, communities can face poverty, hunger, health crises, and displacement.
Environmental crises are escalating:
Climate change, pollution, and deforestation are accelerating, threatening ecosystems and the people who rely on them.
EcoWB volunteers provide scalable, sustainable solutions:
We empower communities to tackle challenges in ways that are scientifically sound, culturally appropriate, and built to endure
It's about justice and equity:
The people least responsible for environmental damage are often the hardest hit. We work to ensure they have the support, tools, and resources to thrive.
A healthy planet is essential for all life:
Protecting ecosystems locally has a global impact. Restoring mangroves, for example, helps mitigate climate change worldwide.
EcoWB builds hope and resilience:
Through volunteer collaboration, we help communities protect their way of life and their futures, offering hope where it’s needed most.
