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California leads the nation in ocean protection Millions of acres of our nation's natural heritage are protected through our system of national parks, national forests and wilderness areas. California is now leading the nation in conserving our ocean heritage by creating a statewide system of marine protected areas (MPAs).  As parks protect wildlife and habitats on land, MPAs protect the ocean. They help ensure that the ocean's bounty and beauty are protected and maintained for future generations to use and enjoy. Marine protected areas are a tool for ocean protection MPAs are special places where human activities are carefully managed. They vary in size and allow different types of use depending upon their conservation goals. Some are designed to protect large ocean ecosystems. Others may safeguard a particular fishery, rare species, critical habitat for marine life, or underwater historical sites.  MPAs differ in what they allow and prohibit inside their boundaries. Some may be "no take" areas that prohibit all fishing, drilling, mining and other extractive activities. Others may allow some commercial and recreational fishing. Most MPAs allow research, education and recreational activities like kayaking, surfing or diving.What can MPAs do?
 MPAs play a significant role in ocean protection worldwideMarine protected areas are found throughout the world. Within the United States, our national marine sanctuaries help protect some of our nation's healthiest and most scenic ocean areas. They support research, education, preserve natural and cultural resources, and serve as natural classrooms and recreational areas.
California is the first state in the nation to create a statewide network of MPAs  In 1999 the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) was enacted, directing the state to design and manage a network of marine protected areas.Based on sound science, public involvement, and careful planning, the MPA network is designed to protect a variety of critical ocean habitats. As refuges for marine life, MPAs will complement other state conservation efforts by allowing marine ecosystems to recover and thrive. Design and management of the statewide MPA network California Department of Fish and Game is the state agency responsible for implementing and managing the network. The California coast has been divided into five planning regions. Each region will undertake a collaborative public process to designate MPAs in their area. People knowledgeable about ocean uses and resources such as fishermen, conservationists and scientists will participate in the design process for their region. Central Coast MPAs The central coast was the first region to complete a network in 2007 when 29 MPAs were designated along its shores. The central coast network covers 204 square miles (about 18%) of state waters from Pigeon Point to Point Conception, including 85 square miles (about 7.5%) of fully protected marine reserves. Other important areas, like Soquel Canyon and Carmel Bay, allow the take of selected species while protecting most.
In 2009 the north central coast became the second region to complete a network. A suite of 24 new MPAs covering 153 square miles (20.1%) of state waters now extends from Alder Creek (near Point Arena) to Pigeon Point. Approximately 86 square miles (11%) are designated as "no take" marine reserves. Additional MPAs are being established to the north and south to create a statewide network along the entire California coast.
To protect the greatest diversity of life, the state network of MPAs includes a portion of every marine habitat found along our coast, from sheltered estuaries and lush kelp forests to steep underwater canyons. 11-12. kelp forest and slough habitats  How do MPAs restore and protect habitats?When parts of the ocean are set aside from as much disturbance as possible, the whole web of life benefits. Inside many MPAs, scientists have seen an increase in the size, abundance and diversity of some kinds of marine life. Networks of MPAs, like those being created by the State of California, provide even greater protection. Because they include a diversity of habitats, they also help preserve the connections and flow of life between habitats vital to healthy marine ecosystems. Researchers are now studying central California's MPAs with the help of scuba divers, fishermen, submarines and remotely operated vehicles. They want to find out if these areas are succeeding in conserving habitats and marine life over time.
MPA activities and opportunities Our state's new MPAs provide economic, recreational and environmental benefits to Californians, whether they live on the water's edge or far inland.  MPAs can improve ecotourism opportunities such as bird and marine mammal watching, kayaking and scuba diving. And healthy marine habitats can provide more sustainable livelihoods for local residents of communities that rely on the sea.The MBNMS is supporting management of central California's marine protected areas Most of the central coast and north central coast networks of state-designated MPAs reside within the boundaries of the sanctuary, and we are assisting the California Department of Fish and Game with their management.
A natural resource law enforcement group organized by the MBNMS and comprised of representatives of all federal, state, and local government authorities shares information and plans joint patrols focused on enforcement of new MPA regulations. MBNMS also facilitates joint interagency patrols involving aerial, boat, and land-based personnel and assets. In addition to monitoring activities from our R/V Fulmar, we also use a NOAA Twin Otter aircraft to observe vessel activity and ensure compliance with the new MPA regulations. Various projects to educate the public about state MPAs have included the development of shoreline signs, production of a traveling exhibit for interpretive centers, trainings for docent groups and guided field trips for families at different MPA locations. Public Service Announcements as well as videos are being developed that can be used for training purposes or presented at local visitor centers and other locations. The development of additional outreach products, including media, print materials and signs, is ongoing. The potential use of MPAs in deeper, offshore waters of the sanctuary The sanctuary program has been exploring the use of MPAs as a potential management tool in deeper, offshore waters of the sanctuary to address its mission of protecting marine ecosystems. During a management review in 2001, the public identified MPAs as an important means for addressing concerns over declines in ecosystem health. In response to strong public interest in MPAs, the MBNMS formed a multi-stakeholder MPA Working Group (61KB PDF*)composed of fishermen, scientists, conservationists and managers to develop strategies for an MPA Action Plan. The MPA Action Plan (4.9MB PDF*, page 59) was subsequently reviewed and adopted by the Sanctuary Advisory Council in 2003 as part of the sanctuary's new Management Plan. Subsequently, the MPA working group continued to meet to implement strategies outlined in the MPA Action Plan focused primarily on data/information gathering and developing partnerships. Because state-led efforts to establish an MPA network in central coast state waters got underway in 2005 (as mandated by the Marine Life Protection Act), the MBNMS working group shifted its focus towards the potential use of MPAs in the federal waters of the sanctuary. The MPA working group came to an impasse in early 2007, principally because the group could not reach a consensus on the need for MPAs within federal waters of the sanctuary. (Click here to view a complete summary of the MPA working group's activities and actions). In order to address this question, Superintendent Paul Michel developed a process to receive advice from the three main constituencies of the MPA working group: fisherman, environmental groups and scientists. The superintendent received a final round of advice from the Sanctuary Advisory Council, the public and other agencies involved in marine management of the sanctuary during a meeting of the Sanctuary Advisory Council in December 2007. On February 15, 2008 Superintendent Michel announced to the Sanctuary Advisory Council his decision to move forward with a new MPA planning process to address three unmet needs related to ecosystem protection and management of marine resources in the sanctuary's federal waters. Those unmet goals are to:
To read the decision letter presented to the SAC in February 2008, click here.
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