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California Artificial Reef Program (CARP)
In California, artificial reefs are defined as “manmade or natural objects intentionally placed in selected areas of the marine environment to duplicate those conditions that induce production of fish and invertebrates on natural reefs and rough bottoms, and that stimulate the growth of kelp or other midwater plant life which creates natural habitat for those species” (Fish and Game Code § 6421(a)).
The CARP was established in 1985 (Fish and Game Code §§ 6420 - 6425) and was never fully implemented due to lack of allocated resources. The CARP is administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and includes:
- the placement of artificial reefs in state waters;
- a study of existing, successful reefs and all new reefs placed by the program to determine the design criteria needed to construct artificial reefs capable of increasing fish and invertebrate production in state waters; and
- requirements for reef siting and placement.
CDFW has identified the need to develop a science-based and stakeholder-informed programmatic guidance plan to inform the statewide implementation of the CARP. Prior to the adoption of the CARP Plan, CDFW developed the Interim Artificial Reef Project Review Framework to help guide applicants when creating artificial reefs that are not for compensatory mitigation.
On September 10, 2024, the Ocean Protection Council unanimously approved funding for California Sea Grant to develop a CARP Plan in coordination with CDFW and Ocean Protection Council staff (PDF). The CARP Plan will include guidance on artificial reef materials, design, siting, function, and general performance standards, building on feedback received from stakeholder outreach conducted from 2017 to 2020. The CARP Plan will aggregate the best available science and integrate input from California Native American tribes and stakeholders to develop scientifically sound guidance that maximizes the benefits and minimizes the negative impacts of artificial reefs.
CARP Plan Process and Timeline
The project team anticipates initiating listening sessions to inform the development of the CARP Plan in late 2024/early 2025. The CARP Plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Pre-project online listening sessions are being held to provide an update on the development process, answer questions and receive input to help guide the development of the CARP Plan. All sessions will have the same agenda, so attendees only need to attend one session but are welcome to attend multiple sessions to provide additional input. Listening sessions for CA Native American tribes will be held in January. Open listening sessions will be held in February and can be attended by anyone. Sign up by clicking link below.
Technical writing groups that include scientific and Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge experts will begin in the spring of 2025. Feedback sessions at the 50 percent completion stage will allow for writing groups to present progress to date and receive feedback to guide further work. California Native American tribes have the opportunity for formal consultation throughout and will have an extended review period for the draft. A concurrent 45-day public comment period and peer review will occur during summer 2026. A final plan will be brought to the Fish and Game Commission for consideration for adoption.
Learn more about the history of artificial reefs in California (PDF).
Photo banner at top: CDFW scientific divers collecting data at Chalk Cove Artificial Reef off Santa Catalina Island, October 2024.