A regional approach was used in the MLPA Initiative process, in which California’s 1,100-mile coastline was divided into five study regions. In September of 2007, regulations for the first study region were implemented along the Central Coast (Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Conception in Santa Barbara County). On August 5, 2009, the Fish and Game Commission voted to adopt its preferred alternative proposal, also known as the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA), for the MLPA North Central Coast study region (Alder Creek to Pigeon Point).
The MLPA proposal for the South Coast study region (Pt. Conception to the CA/Mexico border, including offshore islands) was approved by the Fish & Game Commisison in Decemeber 2010, and went into effect Summer 2011. The North Coast (Alder Creek north to the California border with Oregon) began its planning process, followed by the San Francisco Bay process (from the Golden Gate Bridge northeast to the Carquinez Bridge).
- “Study: Fisheries collapse seen along the coast,” OC Register, Sept 26, 2011
- Recent Letter to the Editor by Wyland: “Protect our ocean’s health,” OC Register, Jan 2, 2011
- Science Magazine Article: Science Meets Politics Off California’s Coast, March 2010
- Crystal Cove Ocean Park White Paper – Coastkeeper Preliminary Developments for South Coast MPAs
MPAs Approval for South Coast Region
On December 15, 2010, after hours of public comment and 2 years of meetings, the Fish and Game Commission voted to approve a system of Marine Protected Areas for the South Coast Region. The final array of MPAs is a compromise solution that Coastkeeper is proud to have participated in reaching.
Learn more:
- South Coast Region MPAs, Final Map – Department of Fish & Wildlife
- Boating and Diving Chart with MPAs – North
- Boating and Diving Chart with MPAs – South
- Decision Scorecard, DFG – Commission’s December 15th, 2010 votes on specific options
- “Marine Protected Areas,” – DFG News Release, 12-16-2010
- “State adopts network of protected marine areas” – LA Times, 12-16-2010
MLPA in the News
- “Volunteers to help patrol new marine sanctuaries” – LA Times, 12-31-2011
- “New Ocean Protections Come Ashore”-Laguna Beach Independent, 12-30-2011
- “Community Commentary: Local water getting protection they need”-Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot, 12-29-2011
- “Culture Karma” Laguna Beach Independent, 12-28-2011
- “Offshore MLPA fishing plan moves forward at meeting” – Torrance Daily Breeze, 12
- “Panel backs no-fishing zones off Southern California coast” – LA Times, 11/11/09
- “State panel recommends Laguna fishing closure” – OC Register, 11/10/09
- “Battle at Sea” – Torrance Daily Breeze, 10-17-09
- “Protecting California’s marine ecosystems”- LA Times, 3/31/09