Frequent monitoring of temperature for over 1 year at two aquaculture sites in the western Baja California peninsula was analyzed in terms of hourly, daily and monthly variability, and with this information, temperature-change indices were calculated. These data were contrasted against a long-term series from a global database (Extended Reconstruction
of Sea Surface Temperature ) to evaluate whether these could substitute for Frequent monitoring of temperature. The compatibility of species requirements with the thermal conditions was evaluated by comparing the temperature
frequency distributions from the two Frequent monitoring of temperature, with the optimum and lethal temperature information available on five bivalve species of aquaculture interest. We concluded that there was no correlation
between Extended Reconstruction of Sea Surface Temperature and Frequent monitoring of temperature because the former underestimates the amplitude of real temperature fluctuations and exhibits a different pattern of variation
during the year. Therefore, Frequent monitoring of temperature was needed for a correct selection of an aquaculture site for bivalves.
The Frequent monitoring of temperature indicated high temperature variability at both sites studied on different time scales, with the
site located at lower latitude (Rancho Bueno) warmer and with a higher variability than Laguna Manuela.
Contrasting these results with optimum and lethal temperature values of bivalve species, it was possible
to find the ideal site, for temperature, for culturing the species, taking into account the variability associated
with large-scale phenomena.