Marine Protected Areas

The Marine Life Protection Act

The California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), calls for the creation of a science-based network of marine protected areas along the state's coastline. Similar to national parks on land, marine protected areas set aside certain designated parts of the ocean for preservation and protection. A marine reserve is an important type of marine protected area where no “take” of species is allowed, such as in a national park. Marine reserves help safeguard critical ocean habitats and help allow all types of marine life to thrive, from the coral of the seafloor, to the fish and mammals that reach the water’s surface, and all marine life in between.

CCKA is Taking Action

The current effort to implement the MLPA, known as the MLPA Initiative, is a public-private partnership guided by scientists, policymakers, stakeholders, and members of the public. The MLPA Initiative includes extensive public participation through numerous public meetings and a Regional Stakeholder Group. The California Fish & Game Commission adopted the first network of marine protected areas along the Central Coast, from Point Conception north to Pigeon Point in San Mateo County, in 2007 and the second network along the North Central Coast in August of 2009.  To see the network of marine protected areas adopted in the North Central Coast, click on the map to the right.  The next phases of the Initiative are currently underway to establish marine protected areas along the North Coast (from the Oregon border to Alder Creek) and South Coast (from Point Conception to the Mexican border).   By 2011, the entire network of marine protected areas should be adopted throughout California.   

CCKA is an appointed member of the Statewide Interest Group for the MLPA Initiative. CCKA supports the creation of a network of marine protected areas and marine reserves that both safeguards ocean life and coordinates with water quality initiatives to further protect the designated areas.  In close collaboration with the local Waterkeepers, CCKA will continue to advocate for a comprehensive, science-based network of marine protected areas throughout California, and strong water quality and water flows laws to enhance those protections.

A Sheltered Sea

The Baum Foundation's film, A Sheltered Sea, winner of the Ocean Conservation Award at the 2009 Blue Ocean Film Festival, documents the groundbreaking conservation effort occurring along California's coast through the MLPA. Watch the film or checkout the trailer.  The film illustrates the collaborative stakeholder process of creating marine protected areas.  Click below to view the trailer for the second installment of the film, A Sheltered Sea- The Southern Passage, which focuses on California's South Coast, or watch the entire film. 

Underwater Wilderness

As part of its QUEST program to explore Northern California science, environment and nature, KQED recently released a video, Underwater Wilderness: Creating Marine Protected Areas, which presents a brief history of California's MLPA Initiative. Watch the video below.