Overview
Footprint State Marine Reserve (SMR) and the federal Footprint Marine Reserve (FMR) are situated in the channel between Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands, just southeast of Santa Barbara. Where the SMR ends at three nautical miles from shore, the FMR continues farther offshore to meet the outer boundary of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Footprint SMR and FMR together protect more than seven square miles of deepwater communities to depths of over 4,000 feet. The deep, coldwater habitat in these marine protected areas (MPAs) experiences little to no light and very low oxygen levels, but a variety of specially adapted animals reside here. Gold coral, sponges, bocaccio, shrimp, lingcod, anemones, California sea cucumber, and various species of sea stars find protection in these MPAs. All take is prohibited within the SMR and the FMR.
Regulations
It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.
California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(114)(opens in new tab)
Note: The state and federal marine reserves share identical regulations.
Quick Facts
These facts are for the state marine reserve only.
MPA size: 7.05 square miles
Depth range: 171 to 1,656 feet
Habitat composition*:
- Rock: 0.35 square miles
- Sand/mud: 4.80 square miles
*Habitat calculations are based on 3-dimensional area and may exceed the total MPA area listed above.