abstract:The totoaba or totuava (Totoaba macdonaldi) is a marine fish of the drum family (Sciaenidae) that is indigenous to the northern half of the Gulf of California in Mexico. Formerly abundant and subject to an intensive fishery, the totoaba has become rare, and is listed on CITES,Fish Base - Totoaba - Retrieved July 11, 2007 the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - Totoaba macdonaldii - Retrieved July 11, 2007 and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).