Latest news with #SeaofCortez
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Lover Lips Yachts Celebrates 3 Years of Luxury, Leadership & Legacy: A Mexican Woman-Owned Company Making Waves in La Paz, MX
La Paz, Mexico June 08, 2025 --( )-- Lover Lips Yachts Celebrates 3 Years of Affordable Luxury in La Paz From One Yacht to a 40-Vessel Fleet, the Mexican Woman-Owned Company is Redefining VIP Experiences in Baja California Sur Three years ago, Lover Lips Yachts set sail with just one yacht, a bold vision, and a mission to redefine the luxury charter experience in La Paz. Today, the company boasts nearly 40 yachts in its fleet — from sleek motor cruisers to the largest superyacht in the region — becoming a top-rated provider of affordable, luxury yacht charters in the Sea of Cortez. Founded by Fabiola Martínez Alonso, a proud Mexican entrepreneur, Lover Lips Yachts is making waves in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. 'The vision was to create something more than just luxury,' said Martínez Alonso. 'It had to be personal, warm, and inclusive. Every guest should feel like they are part of something special.' A Rising Star in Global Yacht Tourism With a dedication to hospitality, seamless service, and memorable onboard experiences, Lover Lips Yachts has earned more verified five-star reviews than any other yacht charter in La Paz, according to Guests praise the exceptional crew, immaculate vessels, and customized itineraries that reveal the magic of the Sea of Cortez. A Mexican Woman-Owned Company Breaking Barriers Martínez Alonso founded the company after recognizing a gap in the market for luxury experiences that were accessible, inclusive, and community-driven. Since then, Lover Lips Yachts has become a trailblazer — proving that you can deliver world-class VIP service without sky-high price tags. 'This company was built on passion,' added Martínez Alonso, 'but it thrives because of our team, our guests, and the community of La Paz that continues to inspire us every day.' VIP Guests, Local Love From Hollywood executives and Michelin-star chefs to local families celebrating milestones, Lover Lips Yachts treats every guest like a celebrity. 'Whether it's your first yacht experience or your tenth, we believe in delivering unforgettable moments,' said Lester Keizer, Co-Owner. 'You don't have to be famous to feel like royalty aboard Lover Lips.' Giving Back to Baja Rooted in the La Paz community, Lover Lips Yachts partners with local fishermen, chefs, and artisans to showcase authentic Baja experiences. The company also supports charitable initiatives such as food basket programs and mentorships for youth in hospitality. Looking Ahead As the company celebrates its third anniversary, plans are already underway to expand the fleet and introduce new ultra-luxury offerings. 'We're just getting started,' said Martínez Alonso. 'Our dream is to elevate the yacht experience — not just in La Paz, but across Mexico.' Media Contact: Lester Keizer PR Team – Lover Lips Yachts La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico +52 612-000-0000 | +1 702-204-8894 Contact Information: Lover Lips Yachts Lester Keizer 702-204-8894 Contact via Email Read the full story here: Lover Lips Yachts Celebrates 3 Years of Luxury, Leadership & Legacy: A Mexican Woman-Owned Company Making Waves in La Paz, MX Press Release Distributed by
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Feeding The Future Or Eating The Ocean? The $80 Billion Salmon Crisis
Trawl net bycatch from shrimp fishery, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. (Photo by: Mark Conlin/VW PICS/UIG via ... More Getty Image) Beneath the placid surface of the global seafood market, a material financial risk is quietly escalating—one rooted deep within the industry's supply chain. It's not climate volatility or ESG scrutiny grabbing the headlines —but the fragile economics of what we're feeding our farmed fish. A new report from the FAIRR Initiative—an $80 trillion-backed investor network focused on ESG risks in protein production—exposes a growing contradiction at the heart of the global salmon farming industry: a sector that markets itself as sustainable yet increasingly relies on a shrinking, finite resource—wild fish—for its survival. Released ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, the report follows a four-year engagement with seven of the world's largest publicly listed salmon producers and delivers a stark warning: without urgent reform, the industry's feed supply chain could buckle under its own expansion. These companies represent 58% of global farmed salmon production, with over 1.2 million tonnes produced in 2023. FAIRR's analysis reveals systemic environmental, regulatory, and financial risks tied to dependence on wild-caught fish, exposing a deep disconnect between sustainability claims and operational reality. The industry's dependence on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), both derived from wild-caught fish, is a growing vulnerability. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 90% of global fisheries are already overexploited or at capacity. Yet salmon producers continue to lean heavily on this strained input to support projected production increases of 40% by 2033. FMFO is also used across aquaculture species like sea bass and sea bream, as well as in pet food. In 2023, when Peru cancelled its anchovy fishing season, fish oil prices surged by 107%. Mowi, the world's largest salmon producer, reported a 70% rise in feed costs between 2021 and 2023 due to that single event. Some companies temporarily switched to algae oil during the price spike, only to revert once fisheries opened—highlighting a reactive approach that favors short-term cost savings over long-term resilience. 'We are relying on a finite input to fuel infinite growth projections,' said Laure Boissat, Oceans Programme Manager at FAIRR. 'That's not resilience—it's a recipe for collapse.' Between 2020 and 2024, five of the seven companies in FAIRR's study increased their absolute use of FMFO made from whole wild fish—by as much as 39%. Despite sustainability claims, only three firms reduced the proportion of FMFO in their feed, and none by more than three percentage points. In response, many companies have turned to fish trimmings—by-products from fish processing—as an alternative. While six producers have increased their use, the supply is inherently limited. One company reported purchasing all available trimmings in its operating region, raising concerns that rising demand could incentivize additional fishing. This exposes a fundamental flaw in the industry's growth narrative. Farmed salmon production is projected to grow by 40% by 2033, yet fishmeal and fish oil production is forecast to rise by only 9% and 12% respectively over roughly the same period. These numbers are irreconcilable. Without scalable alternatives, or a drastic shift in feed formulation, the industry's expansion plans appear unsustainable. FAIRR's report notes that none of the seven companies assessed have set absolute reduction targets for fish-based feed, even as five aim to scale up salmon output. This disconnect exposes investors to long-term risk: if feed supply can't match growth, either costs will skyrocket, margins will shrink, or the environmental impact will intensify. This feed dependency has broader implications. Aquafeed producers face rising costs and raw material uncertainty. The pet food industry, reliant on salmon oil and trimmings, is also vulnerable to volatility. As wild fish availability declines, disruptions in one part of the supply chain can ripple across sectors, amplifying risk. The diversion of edible fish into feed also raises ethical concerns. Over 90% of fish used in FMFO could be eaten by people. Feedback's Blue Empire report found that in 2020, Norwegian salmon farms used nearly 2 million tonnes of wild-caught fish for feed, including up to 144,000 tonnes harvested off West Africa, enough to feed 2.5 to 4 million people for a year. Novel ingredients like insect meal, algae oil, and single-cell proteins were once seen as game-changers. Four years later, their use remains limited as challenges abound including high production costs, scalability issues, nutritional limitations, and consumer skepticism. Only three companies have set targets to increase their inclusion, which average just 4%. One aims for 10–15% by 2030—a modest target given the urgent need for action. 'In essence, the sector is stalling,' said Boissat. 'There's no silver bullet ingredient on the horizon. What we're seeing instead is short-term thinking packaged as long-term strategy.' FAIRR's report quantifies a growing financial risk. Feed price volatility, as demonstrated by the Peru example, threatens margins across the sector. That being the case, it's arguable that the salmon industry's dependence on wild-caught fish is not just environmentally unsustainable—it's economically reckless. 'As investors, we believe the aquaculture industry must shift towards sustainable feed solutions. Diversifying feed ingredients is not only an environmental imperative, but also a strategic necessity for long-term resilience,' Thekla Swart of FAIRR participant Steyler Ethik Bank said in a statement. Salmon producers often lead the protein sector in disclosure, but FAIRR warns that transparency alone is not enough. 'Companies disclose intensity-based metrics, but those don't show the absolute pressure on fish stocks,' Boissat explained. 'This is the gap between reporting and reality—the system is unsustainable even as it appears progressive on paper.' FAIRR's recommendations are clear. Companies should set absolute reduction rather than efficiency targets for FMFO and invest in scalable alternative feed ingredients—but deeper transformation may be needed. That means shifting away from carnivorous species like salmon toward unfed aquaculture options—such as mussels and oysters—which require no external feed inputs. FAIRR also encourages exploration of plant-based seafood, mirroring moves by the meat industry into alternative proteins. 'Fed aquaculture is simply inefficient,' Boissat emphasized. 'We must rethink what seafood production looks like in the 21st century.' FAIRR's report arrives ahead of the June UN Ocean Conference in Nice, where global leaders will gather to address ocean sustainability. A key issue is the gap between marine protection policy and practice. Many marine protected areas (MPAs) still allow bottom trawling and industrial fishing, undermining conservation goals. 'Even in protected waters, the absence of enforceable restrictions allows destructive practices to persist,' said Boissat. 'Until regulation catches up with science, these so-called protections offer a false sense of security—for ecosystems and for markets.' Campaigners and investors hope the conference will lead to stronger governance—not just symbolic declarations. Without enforceable protections, risks to marine biodiversity and the industries that depend on it will only grow. Stakeholder must decide: continue with business as usual, risking biodiversity collapse, food insecurity, and supply chain disruption—or rethink how the aquaculture sector operates. 'The industry has been talking about risk and resilience for years,' said Boissat. 'But if your entire business model is based on a disappearing input, that's not resilience. That's denial.'
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Forbes
‘A Different Kind Of Fun Than Cabo': Check Out This Baja California City On The Sea Of Cortez
La Paz is a seaside city with a lot to offer visitors, including a seaside Malecon that offers scenic walking and dining in a relaxed setting. While tourism in Baja California Sur has traditionally been all about Los Cabos (better known colloquially as Cabo), other coastal towns in Baja have begun to attract their own attention, perhaps none greater than the seaside city of La Paz. In January 2025, La Paz had 194% more international arrivals in comparison to the same month last year, and domestic arrivals were also up 9.2% compared to the previous year. Located on the Sea of Cortez, La Paz is a university town with a lot to offer visitors, especially in the way of ocean activities, wildlife viewing, desert hiking, and affordability. Cabo has long been the most popular destination in Baja California thanks to its unrivaled infrastructure (i.e. variety of hotels, resorts, restaurants, etc.), accessibility (direct flights from many places), sandy beaches, rocky, scenic coastline, and fiesta-filled atmosphere. That last attribute is usually make-or-break for most visitors. Spring breakers delight in this aspect of its personality, while families and beach bums may find it a little overdone. This is one of the reasons La Paz is experiencing such growth, said Mike Madlock of Go Baja Charters, a Southern California native who has lived in La Paz for 19 years. A whale shark feeds on plankton and krill near the surface of the bay of La Paz, Mexico. During winter, visitors can snorkel with these gentle giants. 'La Paz is more popular now and is being discovered because people are realizing that La Paz offers a different kind of fun than Cabo,' he said. 'We don't have that fast Las Vegas-style pace, that spring break style, that's in Cabo. La Paz is more for families and people who love the water and like things just a little bit more low key.' Madlock said there isn't the quantity of offerings found in Cabo, but that there are plenty of solid bars and restaurants in La Paz. Take a stroll along the malecon and grab dinner and drinks during the sunset, then have an after-dinner nightcap at the La Miserable Mezcaleria, a neighborhood mezcal bar. La Paz has a large student population, who come from all over the country to study at the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, considered to be a prime choice for students studying marine biology. 'La Paz is not just a vacation destination,' said Karla Baledon, local resident and travel concierge. 'We have the best marine biology university in the whole country, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. It's a natural laboratory for students.' That university vibe translates over to tourism. La Paz is home to Go Baja Sailing, an American Sailing Association School also run by Madlock. Folks come for daily or weekly courses between November and May to become a captain or instructor. Sailing is particularly good in La Paz thanks to favorable wind conditions and protected, calm seas. 'Last season was the largest in our history in terms of the number of students,' Madlock said. He said La Paz is growing as a sailing university destination because of its excellent wind, relatively calm conditions on the Sea of Cortez, and beautiful, offshore island destinations, like Espiritu Santo. 'Sailing out of La Paz is more like lake sailing,' Madlock said. 'We don't get those big pacific rollers, so when it gets rough, it's more like wind chop.' La Paz is a haven for spotting or swimming with sea life, with a rotating selection of visitors throughout the year. You can snorkel with sea lions in areas such as San Rafaelito from September through May, and with massive whale sharks between November and April; Humpback whales are around between November and April; In August and September, orcas pass through La Paz. Sea lions are native in the waters of La Paz and can be seen while snorkeling. All of these animals, and more (like dolphins), can be spotted on a 'seafari' experience, said Baledon. Snorkeling and other types of boat tours are also widely available. Destinations for boat tours include the island of Espiritu Santo (a national park) and the infamous Balandra Bay. It's easy to find a hotel for an average of $100 per night in La Paz, and comfortable Airbnbs—including 'guest favorites'—can be found in the center of La Paz, within walking distance to the malecon, for less than $50 per night. More luxurious accommodations can be had at a nice value. Boat rentals are also relatively affordable as compared to other destinations. Madlock considers his $1,200 per day (8 hours) offer—which includes a licensed captain—to be amongst the most competitive. Balandra in the Baja California Peninsula, one of Mexico's most extraordinary bays. These pristine white sand beaches and the adjacent mangroves are protected from the Sea of Cortez by arid, cactus-strewn cliffs. At low tide during the day, the sandbanks are exposed and the ankle-deep water creates different shades of blue and turquoise. The bay is a protected area and only a limited number of visitors are allowed per day. For some time, the La Paz Airport received direct flights only from cities in Mexico, requiring American travelers to make a connection through an out of the way airport, like Mexico City or Guadalajara, if they wanted to fly into La Paz. But some recent good news: Direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX) have returned on Alaska Airlines. 'That's a real game changer,' Madlock said. 'We haven't had direct flights from Los Angeles for about 10 years.' Perhaps more direct flights will appear in the next few years. Otherwise, flying into Los Cabos is an option, so long as you don't mind a little road trip. La Paz is two hours north by car from Cabo, and the drive is very scenic.
