Overview
Located at the intersection of Marin County and Sonoma County, Estero Americano State Marine Recreational Management Area (SMRMA) protects the seaward portion of the Estero Americano Estuary and the adjacent shoreline. Though it is a relatively small Marine Managed Area (MMA), encompassing only about a tenth of a square mile, a wide range of key habitats flourish in this environment. The vast majority is estuary and tidal creek that contains beds of eelgrass, an important underwater plant that helps filter the water and provides food and habitat to many species.
Depending on the year and season, a sandbar may be present at the mouth of the estuary, which typically does not exceed 10 feet deep. Species that inhabit this MMA and benefit from its protection include striped bass, starry flounder, ghost shrimp, mud shrimp, brackish water clams, gobies, and a variety of seabirds. Sandy and rocky beach habitat is found where the estuary meets the Pacific Ocean. Because surrounding lands are privately owned, Estero Americano SMRMA is not accessible by foot or car, but it is feasible to reach the SMRMA by boat or kayak.
Regulations
It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource, EXCEPT:
Take of waterfowl in accordance with general waterfowl regulations is allowed.
California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(41)(opens in new tab)
Quick Facts
SMRMA size: 0.13 square miles
Shoreline span: 1.2 miles
Depth range: 0 to 10 feet
Habitat composition:
- Estuary: 0.12 square miles
- Eelgrass: 0.01 square miles
- Coastal marsh: 0.03 square miles