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Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area (No-Take)

view of harbor next to classical round building

Overview

Located near the town of Avalon, the historic, world-famous Casino Building on Santa Catalina Island overlooks Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) (No-Take). In the 1960s, the waters surrounding Casino Point became one of the first underwater parks in the country. These waters continue to offer some of the best shore diving in California. Crowds of scuba divers, snorkelers, boaters, and wildlife enthusiasts frequent the marine protected area (MPA) to enjoy clear water and abundant marine life, free of heavy waves and surf.

This small MPA covering less than a tenth of a square mile contains rocky intertidal areas, rocky reef habitat, and towering kelp forests to depths of just beyond 70 feet. Situated on the warm, southeastern side of Santa Catalina Island in Avalon Bay, this MPA is home to kelp bass, California sheephead, garibaldi, señorita, moray eels, horn sharks, marine mammals and invertebrates. The suite of marine life found in Santa Catalina Island’s kelp forests makes them one of the most biodiverse environments in Southern California.

Regulations

It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is permitted. See the link below for details.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(127)(opens in new tab)

Quick Facts

MPA size: 0.01 square miles

Shoreline span: 0.1 miles

Depth range: 0 to 73 feet

Photo Gallery

25 JUL
2022

Rainbow scorpionfish and blue-banded gobies at Casino Point SMCA (No-Take)

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photo © M. Bokach, CC BY-NC 2.0

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About Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area (No-Take)

Natural History

kelp
Giant kelp at Casino Point SMCA (No-Take). photo © B. Postal, CC BY-NC 2.0

Casino Point SMCA (No-Take) and nearby Lover's Cove SMCA include rocky reef and kelp forest habitats that exemplify the Southern California kelp forest ecosystem. Kelp forests create excellent underwater habitat for many fish, invertebrate, and marine mammal species, supporting a complex web of interactions. Kelp bass, señorita, California sheephead, opaleye, blacksmith, California halibut, giant sea bass, and the colorful state marine fish, the garibaldi, swim freely though the island’s kelp forests.

Giant sea bass populations have been slowly making a comeback since fishing for them was banned in the 1980s. They are now often seen around Santa Catalina Island, including within Casino Point SMCA (No-Take). In addition to the many species of fish within the MPA, California spiny lobster, abalone, crabs, and nudibranchs (sea slugs) can also be found along the ripples in the sandy seafloor and sheltering in rocky crevices.

Cultural History

spiny lobster
California spiny lobster at Casino Point SMCA (No-Take). photo © cyberkittyn, CC BY-NC 2.0

For centuries, Native American Tribes in California have relied on marine and coastal resources. Many Native American Tribes in California continue to regularly harvest marine resources within their ancestral territories and maintain relationships with the coast for ongoing customary uses. Originally inhabited by Native Americans known as the Tongva, Catalina Island, also known as Pimugna or Pimu to these first peoples, provided abundant resources for permanent villages for thousands of years. Ancient tools hand-fashioned from stone, shell, and bone, and piles of abalone shells have been uncovered at ancient village sites.

Captain Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese navigator in service to Spain, is likely the first European explorer to visit the island in 1542, anchoring two tiny caravel ships off the Bay of Avalon. In November 1602, Philip III of Spain sent an expedition under command of Sebastian Vizcaino to map the California coastline. He anchored in what is now the crescent shaped harbor of Avalon on Saint Catherine’s Day and renamed the small sunny island “Santa Catarina'' or “Cathalina”.

In 1885, the island was sold for $200,000 to George R. Shatto, who sold land parcels to buyers from all over the country. In 1919, the island again changed hands and was sold for $3 million to the multi-millionaire chewing gum mogul and owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, William Wrigley Jr., who set out to make it a tourist destination. In the 1970s, Wrigley deeded 88 percent of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, and today much of it remains undeveloped and wild.

The early 1900s was a golden age for Santa Catalina Island. Movie stars and famous figures flocked to the island to relax and hide from fans. Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Winston Churchill, and Errol Flynn frequented the island to fish for marlin and other game fish. Santa Catalina Island’s rich history can be seen in the many historic landmarks that dot the landscape.

Recreation

diver photographing fish under water
Scuba divers meet a giant sea bass at Casino Point SMCA (No-Take). photo © A. Reeder, CC BY-NC 2.0

Casino Point SMCA (No-Take) is primarily used by scuba divers and snorkelers who enter the water from land, as well as kayakers and glass-bottom boat tours. Casino Point SMCA (No-Take) is home to the easiest “beach” diving in all the Channel Islands, with a staircase and railing that lead directly into the calm waters of the MPA. Within the MPA, divers are permitted to feed the fish to enhance their viewing experience. Along with nearby Lover’s Cove SMCA, Casino Point SMCA (No-Take) is one of the only two MPAs in the State that permits this activity. Divers may see kelp bass, California sheephead, garibaldi, and señorita. In deeper waters, at the edge of the kelp forest, divers may see giant sea bass in the wild. Giant sea bass are a fully protected species, and may not be taken anywhere in California. Potentially weighing more than 500 pounds each, these fish are hard to miss!

No take of any kind is allowed within Casino Point SMCA (No-Take). There are several ocean recreation businesses in Avalon that cater to divers and other tourists, and the MPA is located a short walk from the city of Avalon. With easy access and many nearby businesses that rent gear or offer classes, there are multiple ways to experience Casino Point SMCA (No-Take).

Coordinates

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33° 20.900′ N. lat. 118° 19.430′ W. long.;
33° 20.900′ N. lat. 118° 19.420′ W. long.;
33° 20.920′ N. lat. 118° 19.380′ W. long.;
33° 20.950′ N. lat. 118° 19.420′ W. long.;
33° 20.970′ N. lat. 118° 19.470′ W. long.;
33° 21.000′ N. lat. 118° 19.520′ W. long.; and
33° 20.960′ N. lat. 118° 19.560′ W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(127)

Downloads for Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area

Map

Map of Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area - click to enlarge in new tab

Facts, Map & Regulations

MPA fact sheet - click to enlarge in new tab