📅 Tuesday, May 19th
🕗 Meeting starts at 8:00 a.m.; Recommended to arrive early
📍 Holiday Inn Express San Clemente (35 Via Pico Plaza)
After years of meetings in Sacramento, the California Fish and Game Commission will hold a meeting in San Clemente on May 19 to hear public input on a petition to expand the Laguna Beach Marine Protected Area southward by approximately one mile. Orange County Coastkeeper is proud to support the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition in advocating for stronger protections along this stretch of coastline.
The science is clear: reefs within Marine Protected Areas are healthier, more resilient, and better equipped to withstand environmental stress. As pollution and climate pressures continue to impact our coast, expanding this protected area is one of the most effective ways to restore marine ecosystems, increase biodiversity, and strengthen long-term coastal resilience.
Marine Protected Areas don’t just protect ocean life; they help it thrive. From denser kelp forests to more abundant fish populations and stronger reef systems, protected waters consistently outperform unprotected ones.
Click here to read a 2026 study showing that the Laguna Beach MPA kelp forests outperform those outside the MPA boundaries.
There’s also an important misconception to address: expanding the MPA will not limit public access to the beach. These protections focus solely on restricting consumptive activities, such as fishing and collecting marine life. Beaches will remain open and accessible, and over time, nearby fishing areas will likely benefit from increased marine life spilling over from the protected zone.
Now is the moment to make your voice heard.
Join us on Tuesday, May 19, in San Clemente to support stronger ocean protections. The meeting begins at 8:00 a.m., but we recommend arriving early as space is expected to fill quickly.
Together, we can protect what makes our coast so special for today and for generations to come.
