Agua Verde, April 27-28, 2025 – In the remote fishing village of Agua Verde, we experienced a powerful day of community, culture, and collaborative science. As the Western Flyer anchored near this small town, home to two marine refugios, locals welcomed us for an open-air celebration of coastal life and conservation, coordinated by our partners at Niparajá.
The day featured a photography exhibit honoring coastal traditions and culture of the GOC, a reading circle with passages from The Log of the Sea of Cortez, and a presentation of the book Nuestro Mar / Our Sea Vol. 1; written in collaboration with active members of the community. Guests also shared sea stories and enjoyed local food and crafts.
But what made the day truly special was what happened just offshore. Working with local fishers, youth, and conservation partners, our team used the Flyer’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to explore nearby refugio sites—part of a promising effort to restore the Gulf’s marine ecosystems after decades of overfishing. The currents were strong, and the ROV had some hiccups, but thanks to skilled piloting and strong local collaboration, the team captured exciting footage at La Brecha, a site that showed clear signs of ecological recovery.
We are deeply grateful to the communities of Agua Verde, Ligui, and San Cosme, as well as Niparajá, UABCS, Loreto Municipal Authorities, and everyone who helped make this day a shining example of community-driven science in action.
