California's Network of Marine Protected Areas
Focus: California Central Coast Marine Protected Areas
by Carol Georgi and Karl Kempton
Introduction
California's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are mandated by the state's Marine Life Protection Act (1999). Three nautical miles, from mean high tide line to three miles seaward, is the jurisdictional limit for the U.S. state of California.
As defined by the California Department of Fish and Game, "MPAs are named, discrete geographic marine or estuarine areas designated to protect or conserve marine life and habitat."
The purpose of these MPAs is to increase California's coherence and effectiveness in protecting the state's marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage, as well as to improve recreational, educational, and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems. (See: DFG.gov)
This state network of MPAs can be seen as a huge step toward long-term environmental and economic health for the California Coast. Covering 15% of the state's coastal waters, these MPAs are designed to conserve and restore ocean wildlife and habitats while enhancing recreational, scientific and educational uses of the ocean and coast.
Oceanographer Sylvia Earl discusses California's network of MPAs that she believes gives hope for our ocean: "California's Hope Spots."
This article uses information provided by the California Department of Fish and Game and by the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation's website: California Marine Protected Areas – Educational Resources.
Overview of California's Network of Marine Protected Areas
Brief Description of the five types of MPAs –
State Marine Reserves (SMR) – SMR, the most restrictive classification, these are no-take areas that restrict all commercial and recreational activities, keeping the area as free from human impact as possible.
State Marine Parks (SMP) – SMP may allow recreational take, or limit it is some way, but does not allow commercial take. Therefore, it allows opportunities for education, research, and recreation, while preventing commercial extractive activities.
State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCA) – SMCA may limit recreational and/or commercial take to protect a specific resource or habitat. These are areas that have specific goals for conservation, and activities are restricted to meet the conservation goals.
State Marine Recreational Management Areas (SMRMA) – SMRMA is a non-terrestrial marine or estuarine area designated so the managing agency may provide, limit, or restrict recreational opportunities to meet other than purely local needs while preserving basic resource values for present and future generations. These MPAs are areas intended to protect certain recreational activities. Other types of activities that may interfere or compete with the specifically protected recreation are restricted.
Location of California's MPAs
California's MPAs are located regionally along the state's 1,100 mile coastline. The five regions are: north coast, San Francisco Bay, north central coast, central coast, and south coast. The California Department of Fish and Game provides guidebooks for each region.
Even though some describe these state MPAs as sanctuaries, they are not part of the National Marine Sanctuary System. In fact, the state's MPAs may exist within a National Marine Sanctuary or outside of one. Hence, many people are confused with the various classifications of California's MPAs.
This map, created May 18, 2012 by the Greeninfo Network describes, color codes, and places both the federal and the California state MPAs in their various locations along the California Coast.
Focus: California Central Coast Marine Protected Areas
Pigeon Point to Point Conception from mean high tide line to three miles seaward, approximately 204 square miles, is the regional area covered by the Central California Marine Protected Areas. Two educational materials are provided by the California Department of Fish and Game.
"The Guide to the Central California Marine Protected Areas" gives complete information.
A frequently asked question: How much area was set aside off the central coast as MPAs and how much of that area will be closed to fishing?
The Central Coast region has 29 MPAs covering about 18% of the state waters within this region. Of the total 29 MPAs, 13 are no-take state marine reserves which represent about 85 of the 204 square miles, or about 7.5% of the region.
The Central Coast region is further divided into two areas: Central Coast MPAs (north) – Ano Nuevo to Big Creek
Central Coast MPAs (south) - Piedras Blancas to Vandenberg
Conclusion
Marine Protected Areas, whether under state or federal jurisdiction, give hope for the sustainable human uses of the ocean. The ocean provides oxygen for the air we breathe, rainwater for irrigation and drinking, and food for our sustenance. Hence, the ocean is vital to our human existence.
Sylvia Earle shares her thoughts on the "blue heart of the planet."
Location of California's MPAs
California's MPAs are located regionally along the state's 1,100 mile coastline. The five regions are: north coast, San Francisco Bay, north central coast, central coast, and south coast. The California Department of Fish and Game provides guidebooks for each region.
The North Coast MPAs are not yet in effect. Adopted June 6, 2012 by the California Fish and Game Commission, the North Coast MPAs are expected to go into effect in early 2013.
