Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are cherished stretches of California’s coastline set aside to conserve the ocean’s bounty and beauty for future generations. These protected waters help safeguard marine life, support healthy ecosystems, and ensure that our coast can be enjoyed for years to come.
Through Orange County Coastkeeper’s MPA Watch program, we monitor human activity in and around local MPAs to help improve the management and performance of these important spaces. Our trained volunteers conduct observational surveys from designated coastal sites, documenting how people are using these areas, from recreational activities to potential violations of conservation rules.
The goal is simple: gather reliable data that helps resource managers understand how MPAs are being used and whether regulations are being followed.
What We Found in 2025
In 2025, Coastkeeper and our incredible volunteer team conducted 1,028 surveys across 29 MPA monitoring sites throughout Orange County. These surveys documented a wide range of activities along the coast, helping us better understand patterns of recreation and compliance within protected waters.
The results are encouraging.
Across 73,293 individual activities observed, only 75 (0.1%) were potentially in violation of MPA rules. This means the overwhelming majority of visitors are enjoying Orange County’s MPAs responsibly and respecting conservation regulations.
Even more promising, our data shows an overall increase in MPA-compliant activity and a decrease in unlawful activity compared to previous monitoring periods.
Powered by Volunteers
The MPA Watch program continues to grow thanks to the dedication of community volunteers. In 2025, Coastkeeper trained 37 new volunteers, bringing our total MPA Watch team to 50 active monitors.
These volunteers are the backbone of the program. By spending time along the coast and carefully documenting activity, they help provide the data needed to protect these ecosystems and ensure that MPAs continue to function as intended.
Protecting the Coast Together
Monitoring programs like MPA Watch play an important role in supporting marine conservation. The data collected by volunteers helps inform coastal management decisions, identifies areas where outreach may be needed, and demonstrates how communities are engaging with protected spaces.
Most importantly, this year’s findings highlight something worth celebrating: MPA visitors are overwhelmingly respecting the rules designed to protect our ocean.
That’s good news for marine life and for everyone who loves California’s coast.
Get Involved
Interested in helping monitor and protect Orange County’s Marine Protected Areas?
Learn more about MPA Watch and how to become a volunteer on our website.
