Goleta Slough State Marine Conservation Area (No-Take)

sandstone ledges topped with tall trees run along slow moving water flowing along a thin shoreline into the ocean

Overview

Goleta Slough State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) (No-Take) protects a wetland system in Santa Barbara County where freshwater creeks empty into low-lying sandy soil along the Pacific Ocean. The slough is a partially enclosed body of water, and with each tidal change, the upstream network of creeks brings nutrients from the inland watershed. Where it meets the Pacific, fresh water mixes with rich upwelled sea water, supporting a productive coastal estuary.

Along the shores of the estuary are oak woodlands, riparian scrub, sage scrub, and grasslands. With such a diversity of ecosystems, this small marine protected area (MPA), covering less than one square mile, has become well known as a birding and hiking destination, offering the chance to see a great blue heron rookery, roosting black-crowned night herons, overwintering Canada geese, and Belding’s savannah sparrow. Bordered by the University of California, Santa Barbara and Goleta Beach Park, the Goleta Slough SMCA (No-Take) also overlaps the Goleta Slough Ecological Reserve.

Regulations

It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. Take incidental to certain permitted activities may be allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b) (link below) for details.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(100)(opens in new tab)

Quick Facts

MPA size: 0.16 square miles

Depth range: 0 to 10 feet

Habitat composition*:

  • Coastal marsh: 0.78 square miles
  • Estuary: 0.15 square miles

*Habitat calculations are based on three-dimensional area and may exceed the total MPA area listed above.

About Goleta Slough State Marine Conservation Area (No-Take)

Photo Gallery

17 AUG
2022

Great blue heron in Goleta Slough SMCA (No-Take)

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photo © E. Jacob, CC BY-NC 2.0

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