Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Begg Rock State Marine Reserve

Young rockfish over a reef covered with anemones, divers in the background. photo © Roger Carlson

Young rockfish at Begg Rock. photo © Chris Grossman, diver.net

Rock scallop amid aggregating anemones. photo © Roger Carlson

Cormorants roost atop Begg Rock. photo © Chris Grossman, diver.net

Begg Rock, a small pinnacle jutting up around 15 feet from the ocean’s surface, may not look like much to the passing eye, but below the surface its marine life is abundant. Located about eight miles northwest of San Nicolas Island and nearly 60 miles from the Southern California mainland, it is by definition “remote.”

Spiny Lobster Report Cards Due by April 30

California spiny lobster and red sea urchins
CDFW photo by D. Stein

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2020-2021 spiny lobster report card holders to mail their cards or submit them online by April 30, 2021, as required by regulations.

Catalina Island Marine Protected Area Collaborative: California’s Island Collaborative

Educators gather for an MPA Speaker Series training held by the Catalina Island and Los Angeles MPA collaboratives
photo courtesy MPA Collaborative Network

While Los Angeles County is home to 13 of California’s 124 marine protected areas (MPAs), only four of those can be easily accessed from the mainland. The remaining nine MPAs surround Santa Catalina Island, known simply as “Catalina,” and can be reached via ferry, boat, helicopter, or private aircraft.

2021 Schedule of Expected California Grunion Runs Available, Input on Grunion Fishing Sought

Southern California grunion run
photo by K. Walker

The 2021 schedule of expected California grunion runs is now available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website. If attending a grunion run, please follow current Covid-19 health guidelines and check with city or county authorities for information about potential beach closures.

CDFW Seeks Nominees for Ocean Resources Enhancement Advisory Panel

White seabass
photo courtesy HSWRI

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is soliciting nominations for the Ocean Resources Enhancement Advisory Panel (OREAP). The OREAP is a legislatively mandated advisory body that advises CDFW’s Director in establishing policy and direction, including the expenditure of fee revenue, for the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program. The purpose of the program is to determine if hatchery-released