Make Plans to Attend MPA Day Management Review Forum

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released the first Marine Protected Area (MPA) Decadal Management Review (Review) in January. The Review is a synthesis across the four pillars of the MPA Management Program and evaluates the progress of the MPA Network at meeting the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act since 2012.

If you are interested in learning more about the Review findings, or sharing information related to your contributions to the Review via a table or a poster,

Available Now! MPA Decadal Management Review Report

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce that the first Marine Protected Area (MPA) Decadal Management Review (Review) report is now available!

The Review provides a synthesis of the last decade of management activities in the four pillars of the MPA Management Program and the effectiveness of the MPA Network at meeting the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act. The Review is informed by

Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve, Sugarloaf Island Special Closure, and Steamboat Rock Special Closure

MPA sign at the SMR, Steamboat Rock to the left. CDFW photo by S. Worden

Sugarloaf Island, just north of South Cape Mendocino SMR. photo by A. Zykov, CC BY-SA 2.0

Sunrise at Cape Mendocino. photo by S. Worden

Although California is the most populous state in the United States, much of the coastal area north of San Francisco is undeveloped and provides the perfect escape for those seeking a bit of solitude.

Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Point Buchon State Marine Reserve and Point Buchon State Marine Conservation Area

Point Buchon State Marine Reserve and Point Buchon State Marine Conservation Area as seen from the water.
photo by E. Johnston

Along the coast of San Luis Obispo County between Morro Bay and Pismo Beach lies a scenic and sparsely populated stretch of shoreline. In 2007, a portion of the undersea and tidal habitats off the coast was designated for protection from fishing as part of California’s network of 124 marine protected areas (MPAs). Point Buchon State Marine Reserve (SMR) protects all marine resources from take, starting at the mean high tide line and extending offshore.

Now Available! Marine Protected Area Long-Term Monitoring Project Reports

Rocky intertidal habitat survey
CDFW photo by C. Shen

The first outcomes from long-term monitoring of California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network are now available online in seven technical reports, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Ocean Protection Council, and California Sea Grant have announced.