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Southern California Marine Protected Areas

Updated January 1, 2019

The Southern California marine protected areas (MPAs), from Point Conception to the California-Mexico border, are the southernmost component of a statewide MPA network. Major revisions and additions to Southern California MPAs went into effect in state waters* on January 1, 2012.

The 50 MPAs in this region cover approximately 356 square miles, or about 15 percent of Southern California state waters. Two special closures are also managed as part of the region’s complement of MPAs. The following table summarizes the area designations managed within the southern portion of the statewide MPA network:

Number Type Description
19 State Marine Reserve (SMR) An MPA designation that prohibits damage or take of all marine resources (living, geologic, or cultural) including recreational and commercial take
21 State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) An MPA designation that may allow some recreational and/or commercial take of marine resources (restrictions vary)
10 State Marine Conservation Area (No-Take) An MPA designation that generally prohibits the take of living, geological, and cultural marine resources, but allows potentially affected and ongoing permitted activities such as dredging and maintenance to continue
2 Special Closure An area designated by the Fish and Game Commission that prohibits access or restricts boating activities in waters adjacent to sea bird rookeries or marine mammal haul-out sites (restrictions vary)

*State waters in the Southern California region cover approximately 1,027 square miles of ocean, estuary, and offshore rock/island waters.

MPA Regulations and Maps

Maps and current regulations for mainland MPAs are presented here by coastal county. Island MPAs for the Northern Channel Islands, San Nicholas Island, Santa Barbara Island and Catalina Island are listed separately. The JPG maps are low-resolution files that can be quickly viewed on most computers. The PDF maps are higher-resolution files, providing greater detail and clarity. Regulations are taken from California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, Section 632.

Note: Map Datum used is North American Datum 1983 (NAD83) and position format is in Degrees Minutes Decimal Minutes (DDD MM.MMM). MPA boundaries shown in these maps do not replace the official boundaries found in CCR Title 14, Section 632(b).

Map of Southern California MPAs: JPG | PDF

Mainland MPAs

Santa Barbara County

Point Conception State Marine Reserve

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

34° 27.000' N. lat. 120° 28.280' W. long.;
34° 27.000' N. lat. 120° 32.151' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
34° 23.961' N. lat. 120° 25.000' W. long.; and
34° 27.211' N. lat. 120° 25.000' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

Kashtayit State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

34° 28.130' N. lat. 120° 14.460' W. long.;
34° 27.300' N. lat. 120° 14.460' W. long.;
34° 27.300' N. lat. 120° 12.470' W. long.; and
34° 28.230' N. lat. 120° 12.470' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of finfish, invertebrates except rock scallops and mussels, and giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) by hand harvest is allowed.
    2. Take pursuant to the maintenance of artificial structures and operation and maintenance of existing facilities is allowed inside the conservation area pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department
  2. The following federally recognized tribe is exempt from the area and take regulations found in subsection 632(b)(97) and shall comply with all other existing regulations and statutes: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

Naples State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

34° 26.517' N. lat. 119° 58.000' W. long.;
34° 25.000' N. lat. 119° 58.000' W. long.;
34° 25.000' N. lat. 119° 56.000' W. long.; and
34° 26.140' N. lat. 119° 56.000' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take by spearfishing of white seabass and pelagic finfish is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) by hand harvest or by mechanical harvest is allowed.
    3. Take pursuant to operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. The following federally recognized tribe is exempt from the area and take regulations found in subsection 632(b)(98) and shall comply with all other existing regulations and statutes: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

34° 25.207' N. lat. 119° 53.600' W. long.;
34° 21.475' N. lat. 119° 53.600' W. long.; thence eastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
34° 21.212' N. lat. 119° 50.650' W. long.; and
34° 24.300' N. lat. 119° 50.650' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Take pursuant to the operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.

Goleta Slough State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

This area overlaps the Goleta Slough Ecological Reserve. Ecological reserve rules are in effect as defined in Section 630 or as posted.

Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Goleta Slough.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Take pursuant to routine maintenance, dredging, habitat restoration, research and education, maintenance of artificial structures, and operation and maintenance of existing facilities in the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or activities pursuant to Section 630, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. In waters below the mean high tide line inside the Goleta Slough Ecological Reserve as defined within Section 630, the following restrictions apply:
    1. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited.
    2. No person shall enter this area and remain therein except on established trails, paths or other designated areas except Department employees or designated employees of Santa Barbara Airport, City of Santa Barbara, Goleta Sanitary District and Goleta Valley Vector Control District for the purposes of carrying out official duties.

Los Angeles County

Point Dume State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

34° 02.306' N. lat. 118° 53.000' W. long.;
33° 59.140' N. lat. 118° 53.000' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33° 56.960' N. lat. 118° 49.200' W. long.; and
34° 00.780' N. lat. 118° 49.200' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take by spearfishing of white seabass and pelagic finfish is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of swordfish by harpoon; and coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat is allowed. Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species catch landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species.
    3. Take pursuant to beach nourishment and other sediment management activities is allowed inside the conservation area pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. The following federally recognized tribe is exempt from the area and take regulations found in subsection 632(b)(117) and shall comply with all other existing regulations and statutes: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Point Dume State Marine Reserve

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

34° 00.780' N. lat. 118° 49.200' W. long.;
33° 56.960' N. lat. 118° 49.200' W. long.; thence eastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33° 57.061' N. lat. 118° 47.260' W. long.; and
34° 01.178' N. lat. 118° 47.260' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

Point Vicente State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

33° 44.800' N. lat. 118° 24.807' W. long.;
33° 44.800' N. lat. 118° 28.931' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33° 41.155' N. lat. 118° 23.800' W. long.; and
33° 44.198' N. lat. 118° 23.800' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Take pursuant to remediation activities associated with the Palos Verdes Shelf Operable Unit of the Montrose Chemical Superfund Site are allowed inside the conservation area pursuant to the Interim Record of Decision issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and any subsequent Records of Decision.

Abalone Cove State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

33° 44.198' N. lat. 118° 23.800' W. long.;
33° 41.155' N. lat. 118° 23.800' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33° 40.851' N. lat. 118° 22.500' W. long.; and
33° 44.240' N. lat. 118° 22.500' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take by spearfishing of white seabass and pelagic finfish; and market squid by hand-held dip net is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of swordfish by harpoon; and coastal pelagic species and Pacific bonito by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat is allowed. Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species or Pacific bonito landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species.
    3. Take pursuant to remediation activities associated with the Palos Verdes Shelf Operable Unit of the Montrose Chemical Superfund Site are allowed inside the conservation area pursuant to the Interim Record of Decision issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and any subsequent Records of Decision.

Orange County

Bolsa Bay State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

This area overlaps the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Ecological reserve rules are in effect as defined in Section 630 or as posted. In addition, access to the ecological reserve shoreline is currently closed to the public, as authorized under Title 14, Section 630(a)(10).

Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Bolsa Bay estuary southward of a line that approximates the Warner Avenue bridge located between the following two points:

33° 42.700' N. lat. 118° 03.633' W. long.;
33° 42.700' N. lat. 118° 03.604' W. long.; and northward of a line that approximates the pedestrian bridge located between the following two points:
33° 42.219' N. lat. 118° 03.167' W. long.; and
33° 42.177' N. lat. 118° 03.186' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore in designated areas only is allowed.
    2. Take pursuant to the routine operation and maintenance, habitat restoration, maintenance, dredging, research and education, and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or activities pursuant to Section 630, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the conservation area.
  3. No person, except state and local law enforcement officers, fire suppression agencies and employees of the Department in the performance of their official duties or persons possessing written permission from the Department or employees of Signal Corporation and its invitees for the purpose of carrying out oil and gas operations, shall enter this conservation area and remain therein except on established trails, paths, or other designated areas.
  4. No person shall enter this conservation area between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

This area overlaps the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Ecological reserve rules are in effect as defined in Section 630 or as posted.

Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within the Bolsa Chica Basin estuary northeastward of the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge, approximated by a straight line between the following two points:

33° 41.028' N. lat. 118° 02.153' W. long.; and
33° 40.981' N. lat. 118° 02.109' W. long.; and southeastward of a straight line between the following two points:
33° 42.219' N. lat. 118° 03.167' W. long.; and
33° 42.177' N. lat. 118° 03.186' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Take pursuant to routine operation and maintenance, habitat restoration, maintenance dredging, research and education, and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or activities pursuant to Section 630, or as otherwise authorized by the department.
  2. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the conservation area.
  3. No person, except state and local law enforcement officers, fire suppression agencies and employees of the Department in the performance of their official duties or persons possessing written permission from the Department or employees of Signal Corporation and its invitees for the purpose of carrying out oil and gas operations, shall enter this conservation area and remain therein except on established trails, paths, or other designated areas.
  4. No person shall enter this conservation area between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

This area overlaps the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. Ecological reserve rules are in effect as defined in Section 630 or as posted.

Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Upper Newport Bay northeastward of Pacific Coast Highway approximated by a line between the following two points:

33° 37.014' N. lat. 117° 54.237' W. long.;
33° 37.014' N. lat. 117° 54.336' W. long.; and southwestward of Jamboree Road approximated by a line between the following two points:
33° 39.071' N. lat. 117° 52.021' W. long.; and
33° 39.027' N. lat. 117° 52.014' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore only is allowed.
    2. Take pursuant to maintenance dredging, habitat restoration, research and education programs, maintenance of artificial structures, and operation and maintenance of existing facilities inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or activities pursuant to Section 630, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. In waters below the mean high tide line inside the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, northeastward of a line connecting Shellmaker Island (33° 37.200' N. lat. 117° 53.510' W. long.) and North Star Beach (33° 37.380' N. lat. 117° 53.600' W. long.) the following restrictions apply:
    1. Swimming is allowed only in the area between North Star Beach and mid-channel.
    2. Boats are limited to speeds less than five miles per hour.
    3. Shoreline access is limited to established trails, paths, or other designated areas.

Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

33° 35.372' N. lat. 117° 52.645' W. long.;
33° 35.065' N. lat. 117° 52.692' W. long.;
33° 32.400' N. lat. 117° 49.200' W. long.;
33° 33.211' N. lat. 117° 49.200' W. long.; and
33° 33.224' N. lat. 117° 49.184' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, and spiny lobster and sea urchin is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of sea urchin; spiny lobster by trap; and coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat is allowed. Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species catch landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species.
    3. Take pursuant to beach nourishment and other sediment management activities, and operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. Take of all living marine resources from inside tidepools is prohibited. For purposes of this section, tidepools are defined as the area encompassing the rocky pools that are filled with seawater due to retracting tides between the mean higher high tide line and the mean lower low tide line.

Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

33° 33.224' N. lat. 117° 49.184' W. long.;
33° 30.211' N. lat. 117° 49.200' W. long.;
33° 30.713' N. lat. 117° 49.200' W. long.; and
33° 30.713' N. lat. 117° 45.264' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

33° 30.713' N. lat. 117° 45.264' W. long.;
33° 30.713' N. lat. 117° 49.200' W. long.;
33° 30.050' N. lat. 117° 49.200' W. long.; and
33° 30.050' N. lat. 117° 44.762' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Operation and maintenance of artificial structures and facilities, beach grooming, maintenance dredging, and habitat restoration inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.

Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

33° 30.050' N. lat. 117° 44.762' W. long.;
33° 30.050' N. lat. 117° 46.000' W. long.;
33° 30.000' N. lat. 117° 46.000' W. long.;
33° 27.300' N. lat. 117° 43.300' W. long.;
33° 27.478' N. lat. 117° 42.276' W. long.; and
33° 27.622' N. lat. 117° 42.425' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for recreational and/or commercial purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, and spiny lobster and sea urchin is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of sea urchin, spiny lobster by trap, and coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat is allowed. Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species catch landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species.
    3. Take pursuant to operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed, pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. Take of all living marine resources from inside tidepools is prohibited. For purposes of this section, tidepools are defined as the area encompassing the rocky pools that are filled with seawater due to retracting tides between the mean higher high tide line and the mean lower low tide line.

San Diego County

Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

This area overlaps the Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Ecological reserve rules are in effect as defined in Section 630 or as posted.

Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Batiquitos Lagoon eastward of the Interstate Highway 5 Bridge, approximated by a line between the following two points:

33° 05.440' N. lat. 117° 18.120' W. long.; and
33° 05.460' N. lat. 117° 18.130' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Take pursuant to operation and maintenance, habitat restoration, research and education, maintenance dredging and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or activities pursuant to Section 630, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the conservation area.

Swami's State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

33° 02.900' N. lat. 117° 17.927' W. long.;
33° 02.900' N. lat. 117° 21.743' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33° 00.000' N. lat. 117° 20.398' W. long.; and
33° 00.000' N. lat. 117° 16.698' W. long.; thence northward along the mean high tide line onshore boundary to
33° 00.962' N. lat. 117° 16.850' W. long.; and
33° 00.980' N. lat. 117° 16.857' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Recreational take by hook-and-line from shore is allowed.
    2. The recreational take by spearfishing of white seabass and pelagic finfish is allowed.
    3. Take pursuant to beach nourishment and other sediment management activities and operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.

San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

This area overlaps the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Ecological reserve rules are in effect as defined in Section 630 or as posted.

Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within San Elijo Lagoon southeastward of a straight line between the following two points:

33° 00.980' N. lat. 117° 16.857' W. long.; and
33° 00.962' N. lat. 117° 16.850' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Take pursuant to operation and maintenance, maintenance dredging, habitat restoration including sediment deposition, research and education, and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or activities pursuant to Section 630, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
  2. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the conservation area.

San Dieguito Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

This area overlaps the San Dieguito Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Ecological reserve rules are in effect as defined in Section 630 or as posted. In addition, access to the ecological reserve shoreline is currently closed to the public, as authorized under Section 630.

Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the San Dieguito Lagoon Ecological Reserve southeastward of a straight line between the following two points:

32° 58.066' N. lat. 117° 15.579' W. long.; and
32° 58.072' N. lat. 117° 15.548' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore is allowed.
  2. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the conservation area.
  3. No person, except state and local law enforcement officers, fire suppression agencies and employees of the Department in the performance of their official duties or persons possessing written permission from the Department, shall be permitted on the California least tern nesting island.
  4. No person, except state and local law enforcement officers, fire suppression agencies and employees of the Department in the performance of their official duties or persons possessing written permission from the Department, shall enter this conservation area between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
  5. The County of San Diego, after consultation with the Department, may carry out management activities for fish and wildlife, flood control and vector control. Authorized operation and maintenance activities shall include, but shall not be limited to, use of chemicals, vegetation control, water control and use of associated equipment.
  6. Collections of fish, wildlife, water and soil may be made by the Department for the purposes of fish and wildlife management or by San Diego County for the purposes of water quality testing and vector control.

San Diego-Scripps Coastal State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

32° 53.000' N. lat. 117° 15.166' W. long.;
32° 53.000' N. lat. 117° 16.400' W. long.;
32° 51.964' N. lat. 117° 16.400' W. long.; and
32° 51.964' N. lat. 117° 15.252' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of coastal pelagic species, except market squid, by hook-and-line only is allowed.
    2. Take pursuant to the operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state, and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
    3. Licensees of the Regents of the University of California and all officers, employees, and students of such university may take, for scientific purposes, invertebrates, fish, or specimens of marine plant or algae under the conditions prescribed in a scientific collecting permit issued by the Department.

Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve

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

32° 51.964' N. lat. 117° 15.252' W. long.;
32° 51.964' N. lat. 117° 16.400' W. long.; and
32° 51.067' N. lat. 117° 16.400' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.
  2. Boats may be launched and retrieved only in designated areas and may be anchored within the reserve only during daylight hours.

South La Jolla State Marine Reserve

JPG Map | PDF Map

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

32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 16.781' W. long.;
32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.;
32° 47.945' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.; and
32° 47.945' N. lat. 117° 15.495' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

South La Jolla State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.;
32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 20.528' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
32° 47.945' N. lat. 117° 20.068' W. long.;
32° 47.945' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.; and
32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of pelagic finfish by hook-and-line only is allowed.

Famosa Slough State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Famosa Slough estuary southward of the San Diego River channel, located at approximately 32° 45.430' N. lat. 117° 13.750' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Take pursuant to habitat restoration, maintenance dredging and operation and maintenance of artificial structures is allowed inside the conservation area pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.

Cabrillo State Marine Reserve

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

32° 40.600' N. lat. 117° 14.820' W. long.;
32° 40.600' N. lat. 117° 15.000' W. long.;
32° 39.700' N. lat. 117° 15.000' W. long.;
32° 39.700' N. lat. 117° 14.300' W. long.; and
32° 40.000' N. lat. 117° 14.300' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

Tijuana River Mouth State Marine Conservation Area

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

32° 34.000' N. lat. 117° 07.980' W. long.;
32° 34.000' N. lat. 117° 09.000' W. long.;
32° 31.970' N. lat. 117° 09.000' W. long.; thence eastward along the U.S./Mexico Border to
32° 32.064' N. lat. 117° 07.428' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of coastal pelagic species, except market squid, by hand-held dip net only is allowed
    2. The commercial take of coastal pelagic species, except market squid, by round haul net is allowed. Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species catch landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species, including market squid.
    3. Take pursuant to beach nourishment and other sediment management activities and operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.

Island MPAs

Richardson Rock State and Federal Marine Reserve (San Miguel Island)

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This area includes Richardson Rock State Marine Reserve and the adjoining federal Richardson Rock Marine Reserve*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

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

34° 02.211' N. lat. 120° 28.200' W. long.;
34° 02.211' N. lat. 120° 36.290' W. long.;
34° 10.400' N. lat. 120° 36.290' W. long.;
34° 10.400' N. lat. 120° 28.200' W. long.; and
34° 02.211' N. lat. 120° 28.200' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

* The state reserve and federal reserve share identical regulations. For federal MPA regulations, see Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register 15 Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660.

San Miguel Island Special Closure

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Special restrictions on boating and access apply to San Miguel Island as follows:

Boating is allowed at San Miguel Island except west of a line drawn between Judith Rock (34° 01.500' N. lat. 120° 25.300' W. long.) and Castle Rock (34° 03.300' N. lat. 120° 26.300' W. long. where boats are prohibited closer than 300 yards from shore.

  1. Notwithstanding the 300-yard boating closure between Judith Rock and Castle Rock, the following shall apply:
    1. Boats may approach San Miguel Island no nearer than 100 yards from shore during the period(s) from March 15 through April 30, and October 1 through December 15; and
    2. Boats operated by commercial sea urchin divers may enter waters of the 300-yard area between the western boundary of the Judith Rock State Marine Reserve at 120° 26.60’ W. long. and Castle Rock for the purpose of fishing sea urchins during the period(s) from March 15 through April 30, and October 1 through December 15.
  2. The Department may rescind permission for boats to enter waters within 300 yards between Judith Rock and Castle Rock upon finding that impairment to the island marine mammal resource is imminent. Immediately following such closure, the Department will request the commission to hear, at its regularly scheduled meeting, presentation of documentation supporting the need for such closure.

Other Requirements:

  1. Boats traveling within 300 yards of the shoreline or anchorages shall operate with a minimum amount of noise and shall not exceed speeds of five miles per hour.
  2. Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, boats may be anchored overnight only at Tyler Bight and Cuyler Harbor.
  3. Landing is allowed on San Miguel Island only at the designated landing beach in Cuyler Harbor.
  4. No person shall have access to all other offshore rocks and islands at San Miguel Island.

Harris Point State and Federal Marine Reserve (San Miguel Island)

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This area includes Harris Point State Marine Reserve and the adjoining federal Harris Point Marine Reserve*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

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

34° 03.160' N. lat. 120° 23.300' W. long.;
34° 12.295' N. lat. 120° 23.300' W. long.;
34° 12.295' N. lat. 120° 18.400' W. long.; and
34° 01.755' N. lat. 120° 18.400' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.
  2. An exemption to the reserve, where commercial and recreational take of living marine resources is allowed, exists between the mean high tide line in Cuyler Harbor and a straight line between the following points:
    34° 03.554' N. lat. 120° 21.311' W. long.; and
    34° 02.908' N. lat. 120° 20.161' W. long.

* The state reserve and federal reserve share identical regulations. For federal MPA regulations, see Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register 15 Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660.

Judith Rock State Marine Reserve (San Miguel Island)

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

34° 01.802' N. lat. 120° 26.600' W. long.;
33° 58.513' N. lat. 120° 26.600' W. long.; thence eastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33° 58.518' N. lat. 120° 25.300' W. long.; and
34° 01.689' N. lat. 120° 25.300' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

Carrington Point State Marine Reserve (Santa Rosa Island)

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

34° 01.280' N. lat. 120° 05.200' W. long.;
34° 04.000' N. lat. 120° 05.200' W. long.;
34° 04.000' N. lat. 120° 01.000' W. long.;
34° 00.500' N. lat. 120° 01.000' W. long.; and
34° 00.500' N. lat. 120° 02.930' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

Skunk Point State Marine Reserve (Santa Rosa Island)

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

33° 59.000' N. lat. 119° 58.985' W. long.;
33° 59.000' N. lat. 119° 58.000' W. long.;
33° 57.100' N. lat. 119° 58.000' W. long.; and
33° 57.100' N. lat. 119° 58.257' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

South Point State and Federal Marine Reserve (Santa Rosa Island)

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This area includes South Point State Marine Reserve and the adjoining federal South Point Marine Reserve*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

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

33° 55.014' N. lat. 120° 10.000' W. long.;
33° 50.400' N. lat. 120° 10.000' W. long.;
33° 50.400' N. lat. 120° 06.500' W. long.;
33° 53.800' N. lat. 120° 06.500' W. long.; and
33° 53.800' N. lat. 120° 06.544' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

* The state reserve and federal reserve share identical regulations. For federal MPA regulations, see Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register 15 Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660.

Painted Cave State Marine Conservation Area (Santa Cruz Island)

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

34° 04.492' N. lat. 119° 53.000' W. long.;
34° 05.200' N. lat. 119° 53.000' W. long.; thence eastward along a line one nautical mile offshore to
34° 05.000' N. lat. 119° 51.000' W. long.; and
34° 04.034' N. lat. 119° 51.000' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of spiny lobster and pelagic finfish

Gull Island State and Federal Marine Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

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This area includes Gull Island State Marine Reserve and the adjoining federal Gull Island Marine Reserve*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

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

33° 58.065' N. lat. 119° 50.967' W. long.;
33° 58.000' N. lat. 119° 51.000' W. long.;
33° 58.000' N. lat. 119° 53.000' W. long.;
33° 51.717' N. lat. 119° 53.000' W. long.;
33° 51.717' N. lat. 119° 48.000' W. long.; and
33° 57.759' N. lat. 119° 48.000' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

* The state reserve and federal reserve share identical regulations. For federal MPA regulations, see Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register 15 Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660.

Scorpion State and Federal Marine Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

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This area includes Scorpion State Marine Reserve and the adjoining federal Scorpion Marine Reserve*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

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

34° 02.958' N. lat. 119° 35.500' W. long.;
34° 09.270' N. lat. 119° 35.500' W. long.;
34° 09.270' N. lat. 119° 32.800' W. long.; and
34° 02.700' N. lat. 119° 32.800' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

* The state reserve and federal reserve share identical regulations. For federal MPA regulations, see Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register 15 Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660.

Anacapa Island Special Closure

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  1. No net or trap may be used in waters less than 20 feet deep off the Anacapa Islands commonly referred to as Anacapa Island.
  2. A brown pelican fledgling area is designated from the mean high tide mark seaward to a water depth of 20 fathoms (120 feet) on the north side of West Anacapa Island between a line extending 000° True off Portuguese Rock (34° 00.910’ N. lat. 119° 25.260’ W. long. ) to a line extending 000° True off the western edge of Frenchy’s Cove (34° 00.411’ N. lat. 119° 24.600’ W. long. ), a distance of approximately 4,000 feet. No person except Department employees or employees of the National Park Service in the performance of their official duties shall enter this area during the period January 1 to October 31.

Anacapa Island State and Federal Marine Reserve

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This area includes Anacapa Island State Marine Reserve and the adjoining federal Anacapa Island Marine Reserve*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

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

34° 00.411' N. lat. 119° 24.600' W. long.;
34° 04.998' N. lat. 119° 24.600' W. long.;
34° 04.998' N. lat. 119° 21.400' W. long.;
34° 01.000' N. lat. 119° 21.400' W. long.; and
34° 00.960' N. lat. 119° 21.463' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

* The state reserve and federal reserve share identical regulations. For federal MPA regulations, see Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register 15 Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660.

Anacapa Island State and Federal Marine Conservation Area

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This area includes Anacapa Island State Marine Conservation Area and the adjoining federal Anacapa Island Marine Conservation Area*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

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

34° 00.828' N. lat. 119° 26.623' W. long.;
34° 00.800' N. lat. 119° 26.700' W. long.;
34° 04.998' N. lat. 119° 26.700' W. long.;
34° 04.998' N. lat. 119° 24.600' W. long.; and
34° 00.411' N. lat. 119° 24.600' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of spiny lobster and pelagic finfish and the commercial take of spiny lobster is allowed.
  2. The following federally recognized tribe is exempt from the area and take regulations found in subsection 632(b)(112) and shall comply with all other existing regulations and statutes: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Footprint State and Federal Marine Reserve (Anacapa Channel)

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This area includes Footprint State Marine Reserve and the adjoining federal Footprint Marine Reserve*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

Boundary: This area is bounded by the straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33° 59.300' N. lat. 119° 30.965' W. long.;
33° 54.119' N. lat. 119° 30.965' W. long.;
33° 54.119' N. lat. 119° 25.987' W. long.;
33° 59.300' N. lat. 119° 25.987' W. long.; and
33° 59.300' N. lat. 119° 30.965' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

* The state reserve and federal reserve share identical regulations. For federal MPA regulations, see Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register 15 Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660.

Begg Rock State Marine Reserve (San Nicolas Island Quad)

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Boundary: This area includes all state waters below the mean high tide line surrounding Begg Rock, located in the vicinity of 33° 21.743' N. lat. 119° 41.718' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

Santa Barbara Island State and Federal Marine Reserve

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This area includes Santa Barbara Island State Marine Reserve and the adjoining federal Santa Barbara Island Marine Reserve*. Coordinates are provided for outer boundaries of the joined state and federal areas.

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

33° 28.500' N. lat. 119° 01.813' W. long.;
33° 28.500' N. lat. 118° 54.527' W. long.;
33° 21.792' N. lat. 118° 54.527' W. long.;
33° 21.792' N. lat. 119° 02.200' W. long.; and
33° 27.911' N. lat. 119° 02.200' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

* The state reserve and federal reserve share identical regulations. For federal MPA regulations, see Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register 15 Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660.

Arrow Point to Lion Head Point State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)

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Boundary: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line to a distance of 1000 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline southeastward of a line connecting the following two points:

33° 28.652' N. lat. 118° 32.310' W. long.; and
33° 28.820' N. lat. 118° 32.310' W. long.; and northwestward of a line connecting the following two points:
33° 27.240' N. lat. 118° 29.900' W. long.; and
33° 27.174' N. lat. 118° 30.089' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. All recreational take is allowed in accordance with current regulations, except the recreational take of invertebrates is prohibited.
    2. All commercial take is allowed in accordance with current regulations.

Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)

Formerly known as Blue Cavern State Marine Conservation Area

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

33° 25.960' N. lat. 118° 27.000' W. long.;
33° 27.500' N. lat. 118° 27.000' W. long.;
33° 27.500' N. lat. 118° 29.300' W. long.; and
33° 26.640' N. lat. 118° 29.300' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Except as pursuant to Federal law, emergency caused by hazardous weather, or as provided in b. below, it is unlawful to anchor or moor a vessel in the formerly designated Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge.
    2. The director of the Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge, or any person that the director of the refuge has authorized may anchor or moor a vessel or take, for scientific purposes, any fish or specimen of marine plant life in the formerly designated Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge under the conditions prescribed in a scientific collecting permit issued by the department.
    3. Take pursuant to the maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.

Blue Cavern Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)

Formerly known as Bird Rock State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

33° 27.500' N. lat. 118° 27.000' W. long.;
33° 29.970' N. lat. 118° 27.000' W. long.; thence northwestward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33° 30.810' N. lat. 118° 29.300' W. long.;
33° 27.500' N. lat. 118° 29.300' W. long.; and
33° 27.500' N. lat. 118° 27.000' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of pelagic finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, white seabass by spearfishing and market squid by handheld dip net is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of pelagic finfish by hook-and-line and swordfish by harpoon is allowed.

Long Point State Marine Reserve (Catalina Island)

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

33° 24.380' N. lat. 118° 21.980' W. long.;
33° 25.500' N. lat. 118° 21.980' W. long.;
33° 25.500' N. lat. 118° 24.000' W. long.; and
33° 25.102' N. lat. 118° 24.000' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)

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Boundary: 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.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. Take pursant to maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
    2. Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is allowed.

Lover's Cove State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)

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

33° 20.460' N. lat. 118° 18.900' W. long.;
33° 20.711' N. lat. 118° 18.900' W. long.; and
33° 20.711' N. lat. 118° 19.321' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take by hook-and-line from the Cabrillo Mole is allowed.
    2. Take pursuant to maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.
    3. Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is allowed.

Farnsworth Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)

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

33° 21.000' N. lat. 118° 29.080' W. long.;
33° 21.000' N. lat. 118° 30.000' W. long.;
33° 19.000' N. lat. 118° 29.000' W. long.;
33° 19.000' N. lat. 118° 27.900' W. long.; and
33° 19.560' N. lat. 118° 27.900' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take by spearfishing of white seabass and pelagic finfish; marlin, tunas, and dorado (dolphinfish) (Coryphaena hippurus) by trolling; and market squid by hand-held dip net is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of swordfish by harpoon; and coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat is allowed. Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species catch landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species.

Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)

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Boundary: This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

33° 21.000' N. lat. 118° 30.00' W. long.;
33° 21.000' N. lat. 118° 32.878' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
33° 19.000' N. lat. 118° 31.978' W. long.;
33° 19.000' N. lat. 118° 29.000' W. long.; and
33° 21.000' N. lat. 118° 30.000' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of pelagic finfish, by hook-and-line or by spearfishing; white seabass by spearfishing; marlin, tunas and dorado (dolphinfish) (Coryphaena hippurus) by trolling; and market squid by hand-held dip net is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of swordfish by harpoon; and coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat is allowed. Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species catch landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species.

Cat Harbor State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)

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Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line on the west side of Catalina Island northward of a straight line connecting Pin Rock (33° 25.486' N. lat. 118° 30.294' W. long.) and Cat Head Point (33° 25.320' N. lat. 118° 30.760' W. long.).

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  1. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial and/or recreational purposes, with the following specified exceptions:
    1. The recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, market squid by hook-and-line, and spiny lobster and sea urchin is allowed.
    2. The commercial take of sea cucumbers by diving only, and spiny lobster and sea urchin is allowed.
    3. Aquaculture of finfish [subsection 632(a)(2)] pursuant to any required state permits is allowed.
    4. Take pursuant to maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the Department.

Definitions: Take, Finfish, Pelagic Finfish, and Coastal Pelagic Species

Take (Fish and Game Code, Section 86) means hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill. ("Take" is also defined in CCR Title 14, Section 1.80)

Finfish (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(2)), as defined for purposes of MPA regulations, are any species of bony fish or cartilaginous fish (sharks, skates and rays). Finfish do not include amphibians, invertebrates, plants or algae.

Pelagic finfish (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(3)), as defined for purposes of MPA regulations, are a subset of finfish defined as: northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), barracudas (Sphyraena spp.), billfishes* (family Istiophoridae), dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), blue shark (Prionace glauca), salmon shark (Lamna ditropis), shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), thresher sharks (Alopias spp.), swordfish (Xiphias gladius), tunas (family Scombridae), including Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis), and yellowtail (Seriola lalandi). *Marlin is not allowed for commercial take.

Coastal pelagic species (CCR Title 14, Section 1.39), as defined for purposes of MPA regulations, include the following: northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus) and market squid (Doryteuthis (Loligo) opalescens).

Surf Smelt (CCR Title 14, Section 28.45)
(Night Smelt, Day Fish, Whitebait Smelt)
Limit: Twenty-five pounds in combination

Definitions: MPA Network Areas

State Marine Reserve (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(1)(A)): In a State Marine Reserve, it is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource, except under a scientific collecting permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 650 or specific authorization from the commission for research, restoration, or monitoring purposes.

State Marine Park (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(1)(B)): In a State Marine Park, it is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living or nonliving marine resource for commercial purposes. Any human use that would compromise protection of the species of interest, natural community or habitat, or geological, cultural, or recreational features, may be restricted by the commission as specified in individual MPA regulations. The department may issue scientific collecting permits pursuant to Section 650. The commission may authorize research, monitoring, and educational activities and certain recreational harvest in a manner consistent with protecting resource values.

State Marine Conservation Area (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(1)(C)): In a State Marine Conservation Area, it is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial or recreational purposes, or a combination of commercial and recreational purposes except as specified in individual MPA regulations. The department may issue scientific collecting permits pursuant to Section 650. The commission may authorize research, education, and recreational activities, and certain commercial and recreational harvest of marine resources, provided that these uses do not compromise protection of the species of interest, natural community, habitat, or geological features.

State Marine Recreational Management Area (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(1)(D)): In a State Marine Recreational Management Area, it is unlawful to perform any activity that would compromise the recreational values for which the area may be designated. Recreational opportunities may be protected, enhanced, or restricted, while preserving basic resource values of the area. No other use is restricted unless specified in individual MPA regulations.

Special Closure: An area designated by the Fish and Game Commission that prohibits access or restricts boating activities in waters adjacent to sea bird rookeries or marine mammal haul-out sites (restrictions vary).

General Rules that Apply to All MPAs

Access (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(4))

Access into marine protected areas or marine managed areas for non-consumptive uses including but not limited to swimming, surfing, diving, boating, hiking and walking is allowed unless otherwise specified in individual MPA regulations.

Introduction of Species (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(5))

Unless authorized by the commission or as a result of authorized fishing activities, the release of any fish or wildlife species, including domestic or domesticated species, or the introduction of any plant species, is prohibited. The department may reintroduce endemic species to marine protected areas or marine managed areas for management purposes.

Feeding of Fish and Wildlife (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(6))

The feeding of fish and wildlife is prohibited except permitted scientific collection pursuant to Section 650 or as a result of authorized fishing within state marine conservation areas, state marine parks, and state marine recreational management areas, or unless feeding of fish is specifically authorized in individual MPA regulations for purposes of marine life viewing.

Anchoring (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(7))

Vessels shall be allowed to anchor in any marine protected area or marine managed area with catch onboard unless otherwise specified in individual MPA regulations. Fishing gear shall not be deployed in the water while anchored in a state marine reserve. Fishing gear, except legal fishing gear used to take species identified as allowed for take in individual MPA regulations, shall not be deployed in the water while anchored in a state marine recreational management area, state marine park or state marine conservation area. Anchoring regulations shall be consistent with federal law and allowances made for anchoring required by emergency or severe weather.

Transit or Drifting (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(8))

Vessels shall be allowed to transit through MPAs and marine managed areas (MMAs) with catch onboard. Fishing gear shall not be deployed in the water while transiting through a state marine reserve. Fishing gear, except legal fishing gear used to take species identified as allowed for take in individual MPA regulations, shall not be deployed in the water while transiting through a state marine recreational management area, state marine park or state marine conservation area.

Spearfishermen with or without catch shall be allowed to transit through MPAs and MMAs. While transiting areas that prohibit spearfishing or while in possession of species not identified as allowed for take in the area being transited, spearfishing gear shall be in an unloaded condition, not carried in hand, and the diver shall remain at the surface.

Water Quality Monitoring (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(9))

Sampling of water, sediment and marine life, for water quality monitoring or pollution research, or as required in a Monitoring and Reporting Program of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements issued by the State or Regional Water Boards pursuant to the United States Clean Water Act and the California Water Code, is allowed within state marine reserves, state marine conservation areas, state marine parks, and state marine recreational management areas pursuant to a valid scientific collecting permit issued by the department.

Public Safety (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(10))

Public safety activities, including installation, maintenance and/or seasonal placement and removal of safety-related artificial structures, including but not limited to lifeguard towers, are allowed within any MPA classification pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.

Tribal Take (CCR Title 14, Section 632(a)(11))

"Federally recognized tribe" means any tribe on the List of Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, published annually in the Federal Register. Any member of a federally recognized tribe authorized to take living marine resources from an area with area-specific take restrictions in individual MPA regulations, when engaging in take within an authorized area shall possess on his person, in his immediate possession, or where otherwise specifically required by law to be kept, any valid license, report card, tag, stamp, validation, permit, or any other entitlement that is required in the Fish and Game Code, or required by other state, federal, or local entities, in order to take living marine resources. Members shall possess a valid photo identification card issued by a federally recognized tribe that contains expiration date, tribal name, tribal member number, name, signature, date of birth, height, color of eyes, color of hair, weight, and sex; and display any of the items listed above upon demand to any peace officer. Members taking living marine resources under this provision are subject to current seasonal, bag, possession, gear and size limits in existing Fish and Game Code statutes and regulations of the Commission, except as otherwise provided for in individual MPA regulations. No member, while taking living marine resources, may be assisted by any person who does not possess a valid tribal identification card and is not properly licensed to take living marine resources. Nothing in the regulation is intended to conflict with, or supersede, any state or federal law regarding the take of protected, threatened or endangered species.

Shore Fishing (CCR Title 14, Section(a)(12))

Take from shore, or shore fishing, means take of living marine resources from shore, including beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other man-made structures connected to the shore. Unless specifically authorized in individual MPA regulations, no vessel, watercraft (motorized or non-motorized), or floating device may be used to assist in the take, transport or possession of species taken while shore fishing, except that a float tube or similar flotation device may be used when taking abalone only.

Southern California MPAs - click to enlarge in new window
Southern California MPAs
(click to enlarge)

Marine Protected Areas

California's MPA Network

California's MPA network uses different marine managed area (MMA) classifications. These classifications are defined in the Marine Managed Areas Improvement Act, which is used to designate marine areas intended to protect, conserve, or otherwise manage a variety of resources and their uses including living marine resources and their habitats, scenic views, water quality, recreational values, and cultural or geological resources. MPAs are primarily intended to protect or conserve marine life and habitat, and are a subset of MMAs.

California's MPA network includes three MPA designations (State Marine Reserve, State Marine Conservation Area, and State Marine Park) and one additional MMA designation (State Marine Recreational Management Area); special closure areas, established by the Fish and Game Commission, are also managed within the California MPA network.