Marine Protected Areas

The Marine Life Protection Act

The California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), calls for the creation of a science-based network of marine protected areas along the state's coastline. Similar to national parks on land, marine protected areas set aside certain designated parts of the ocean for preservation and protection. A marine reserve is an important type of marine protected area where no “take” of species is allowed, such as in a national park. Marine reserves help safeguard critical ocean habitats and help allow all types of marine life to thrive, from the coral of the seafloor, to the fish and mammals that reach the water’s surface, and all marine life in between.  

CCKA Is Taking Action

The MLPA Initiative is a public-private partnership guided by scientists, policymakers, stakeholders, and members of the public. In 2007, the California Fish & Game Commission adopted the first network of marine protected areas along the Central Coast.  The Commission subsequently adopted a network along the North Central Coast in August of 2009, and along the Southern California Coast in December 2010.  The Southern Coast MPAs was implemented on January 1st, 2012.  Department of Fish and Game provides online maps of all the marine protected area networks, as well as a mobile website that can be accessed from many areas of the coast.  Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, and a number of other local groups have launched volunteer-based MPA Watch programs to aid compliance and enforcement efforts, and ensure that MPA regulations are followed.

The final phase of the Initiative is underway to establish marine protected areas along the North Coast (from the Oregon border to Alder Creek).   On August 31, 2010, Humboldt Baykeeper and community stakeholders in the North Coast reached consensus on the first ever unified marine protected area proposal. The Fish and Game Commission is expected to make a decision on the adoption of the north coast marine protected areas network on June 6, 2012.

CCKA supports the rigorous implementation and enforcement of a network of marine protected areas and marine reserves that safeguard ocean life.  In close collaboration with the local Waterkeepers and the Department of FIsh and Game (DFG), CCKA continues to advocate for monitoring and enforcement of marine protected areas throughout California, and strong water quality and water flows laws to enhance those protections. 

What the MLPA Looks Like: On Land and Under Water

A short PBS video documents the groundbreaking conservation effort occurring along California's coast through the MLPA.

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.