Department of Fish and Game
Marine Life Protection Act Initiative

Contact Information

Marine Life Protection
Act Initiative

c/o California Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 654-1885
E-mail

Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
Central Coast Study Region

Why the Initiative?  |  MLPA Summary  |  Memorandum of Understanding Adobe Reader required

The central coast study region (CCSR) was the first of five statewide study regions to complete the MLPA planning and implementation process. As mandated by the MLPA, the CCSR process (2004-2007) examined all existing MPAs within the CCSR (Pigeon Point to Point Conception); and created a suite of new MPAs along the central coast that will function as part of a statewide network of MPAs once MLPA implementation is completed. In the MLPA process MPAs are designed by members of a Regional Stakeholder Group in a collaborative public process, who work closely with the Science Advisory Team (SAT), the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF), and the Department of Fish and Game, to develop a suite of alternative MPA proposals.

On April 13, 2007, after careful consideration and extensive public feedback, the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) voted unanimously for its preferred alternative, and adopted 29 MPAs in the CCSR. These 29 MPAs represent approximately 204 mi2 or about 18% of state waters within the study region with approximately 85 mi2 or about 7.5% of those 204 mi2 designated as "no take" state marine reserves. On September 22, 2007 these 29 MPAs went into effect. Regulations, maps, boundary and coordinate information for MPAs can be found through the Existing MPAs link. Existing regulations on take and gear type still apply to all state waters including MPAs and are available through the Laws and Regulations link.

Several other key objectives were achieved during the CCSR, including:

  1. Development of a draft master plan framework.
  2. Draft recommendations for long-term funding sources for MPA implementation and management.
  3. Draft recommendations for increasing coordination and cooperation among state and federal agencies with the authority to manage resources.
  4. A recommended executive order to ensure implementation of the master plan by 2011, which was submitted.

In January 2007, the MLPA Initiative launched the planning process for the second study region, the north central coast (Alder Creek/Point Arena to Pigeon Point). Read information about the timeline and order of this regional process. Adobe Reader required

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