Intrinsic rebound potential of the endangered (Totoaba macdonaldi) population, endemic to the Gulf of California, México

The population of totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi, an endangered, endemic, large sciaenid in the Gulf of California collapsed from over exploitation and habitat degradation. The fishery stopped in 1975 and the current status of its abundance recovery prospects is uncertain. The intrinsic rebound potential of totoaba was calculated using an alternative demographic model and assuming zero fishing mortality after the total fishing prohibition was applied. The value can be compared with that for other species. The rate of rebound estimated for totoaba (r2M = 0.055) confirms its low resilience to fishing. Factors that influence recovery of the totoaba include illegal fishing, its discrete distribution, and its strong fidelity to the delta of Colorado River for spawning and as a nursery area.