 On 13 August 1611 a concession for the exploitation of pearl fishing along the California coast, previously held unsuccessfully by Sebastián Vizcaíno, was given to Tomás de Cardona (the uncle of Nicolás), Sancho de Merás, and Francisco de la Paraya, all Sevillans.Nicolas was put in charge of the exploration.He went to Acapulco end of 1614 and built three frigates there, the "San Antonio", "San Francisco" and "San Diego".