Al Perkinson didn’t plan to start a sunglass company.

“We were doing some travel fishing and almost everywhere we went we found there was some threat to the future of these iconic fishing destinations, whether from development, water quality, industrial pollution, or even just abuse of the fishery,” he says.

Naturally, Perkinson and his compatriots wanted to do something to protect these areas that held a special place in their hearts. “That takes money, so we decided to create a company dedicated to protecting those special places and the people that live there,” he says. “We already knew the sunglasses business, so that was a natural place to start.”

Here, he shares the Bajío vision. Learn more at bajiosunglasses.com.

EB: Tell us about the birth of Bajío.

AL PERKINSON: Bajío is the Spanish word for the shallows, flats, bays, and estuaries that ensure the health of our coastal marine populations and define our playgrounds. They are ground zero for coastal fishing. The shallows are our home, so it was natural that Bajío became our name.

We put together a team with major experience in the sunglass industry and set the standards to build the clearest lenses on the planet, blow everyone away with exceptional customer service, and focus heavily on social and environmental causes. The public reception was immediate and positive, like the industry was waiting for us.

EB: What is the inspiration for Bajío’s product?

AP: We look at sunglasses as a tool for fishermen and anyone spending time outdoors. Our sunglasses are designed around function to allow you to see deeper into the water, to experience the world in rich colors, and to spot fish way before they see you. We like to think they get us one more fish a day.

We have six collections (Tech Angler, Wide Body, Tight Lines, Surf, Beach, and Metals), each designed with a specific purpose or style. For example, the Wide Body collection is made entirely of frames with wide temples to block out light.

Our lightweight, biodegradable bio-resin frames are made from the castor plant, which produces a lighter and stronger frame than the historic nylon frames on the market.

EB: Tell us about Bajío’s lenses.

AP: While fashion is a priority in eyewear, function creates memories. And we do that by building a superior set of polarized lenses in plano and prescription that allow you to see deeper into the water column with more color and contrast. At the same time, we invested in manufacturing technology to build all our sunglasses in New Smyrna Beach in Florida and provide our customers with the service they expect.

Blue light creates haze, and our lenses block 25% more blue light than other sunglass brands for a sharper image that helps you pick out a fish long before it moves. At the same time, we manage the harsh yellow light that interferes with color definition. Our patented LAPIS technology creates rich colors, great contrast, and eye protection along with radically clear lenses.

We currently have 22 frame styles, each of which comes in three or more frame colors and all of our lens options. We also make prescription lenses for all our frames, and are just starting to produce readers in the 8-base wrap frames with four lens color options.