The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, is a nutrient-rich body of water that is home to a significant portion of Mexico's fish and shellfish production. The gulf accounts for 75% of the country's marine product output, supporting 100,000 direct and 700,000 indirect jobs, and contributing to national food sovereignty. The sardine industry, a key component of this production, is sustainable and contributes over 1,910 million pesos in economic benefit each year. The industry operates 98 vessels and processes 730,000 tons of raw material annually, employing over 8,300 people directly and generating 45,000 indirect jobs.