Progress for Our Ocean, Progress for Our Community
California's Fish and Game Commission advances important MPA proposals supporting ocean protection, Tribal stewardship and enhanced shore fishing opportunities!
Your voice helped bring us to this moment, and we have progress worth celebrating!
At its October meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission voted on proposals to update the state's Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network as part of its first comprehensive review.
After years of closely tracking and participating in every step of this drawn out process—holding the state accountable to environmental justice and science-based updates for a stronger MPA Network—and despite procedural issues and missteps by state officials, your support of Fish On’s ongoing efforts paid off. The Commission ultimately approved three proposals we supported to strengthen the state’s MPA Network, enhancing recreational fishing opportunities and helping to restore a healthier ocean for everyone.
The Highlights
Petition 2023-28MPA_AM2: Point Sal
Request to designate a new SMCA near Point Sal that allows recreational take of finfish by hook and line from shore, and to consult with Tribes to identify a Tribal name for the SMCA.
The Commission approved a new State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) near Point Sal in Santa Barbara County.
Point Sal marks a win for our ocean and shore anglers. The proposal would strengthen habitat protections at a critical larval retention zone along the California coast, while creating new recreational opportunities for local communities and enhanced access for the shore fishing community.
Petition 2023-29MPA_AM2: Mishopshno
Request to designate a new MPA near Carpinteria as “Mishopshno SMCA” that allows recreational take of finfish by hook and line from shore, and includes a Tribal take exemption for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
The Commission approved a new SMCA near Carpinteria, helping close a significant gap in California's MPA network.
The SMCA will reduce pressure from charter fishing vessels on the nearshore Carpinteria reef while keeping the coastline open to recreational anglers. The decision also supports Tribal stewardship and enhances the connectivity of the MPA Network.
Petition 2022-04MPA: Vandenberg/Surf Beach
Request to allow recreational hook-and-line fishing from shore along a portion of Vandenberg State Marine Reserve in Santa Barbara County.
The Commission approved a proposal to reclassify a half-mile nearshore portion of Vandenberg State Marine Reserve at Surf Beach as an SMCA.
For shore anglers near Lompoc, the decision brings the possibility of casting a line along a stretch of coastline currently closed to recreational fishing. Although we did not take a formal position on the petition, we're glad to see this enhanced fishing opportunity move forward for the local community.
Petition 2023-33MPA_AM1: Point Dume
Request to expand Point Dume SMCA westward and allow recreational hook-and-line fishing from shore.
The Commission approved an approximately 4.6 square mile expansion of the Point Dume SMCA in Malibu.
While we would have liked for offshore commercial activity to be limited to enhance recreational fishing, this expansion does offer better protection for persistent kelp forest habitat and creates new opportunities for communities across the Greater Los Angeles area to visit and experience our underwater state parks. Shore fishing will be allowed in the expanded portion of the SMCA.
All approved changes still require rulemaking before taking effect. Current fishing regulations remain in place.
MPA Petition Decisions and Outcomes
Beyond the highlights, the Commission considered proposals to change boundaries and fishing regulations within existing MPAs, as well as other new additions to the MPA Network. Here's how commissioners decided on the remaining petitions.
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Request to reclassify Pacific Grove Marine Gardens SMCA, Edward F. Ricketts SMCA, and Carmel Bay SMCA as SMRs; designate one new SMR in Monterey County at Tanker’s Reef; and make various changes related to kelp restoration in the three reclassified SMRs, Point Lobos SMR, and the new SMR.
The Commission denied 27 proposed changes but supported a separate approach to promoting kelp restoration collaboration without changing existing regulations.
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Description text goes hereRequest to expand the boundaries of Natural Bridges SMR and designate a new SMCA off Pleasure Point, in Santa Cruz County.
The Commission denied both proposals, missing an opportunity to expand marine protections near Natural Bridges and create a new conservation area at Pleasure Point with recreational shore fishing and spearfishing.
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Request to expand a boundary at Point Conception SMR.
The Commission denied the proposed expansion. This would have extended no-take protections to additional marine habitat east of Point Conception.
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Request to expand the boundaries of Cabrillo SMR westward and northward, Gull Island SMR and South Point SMR.
The Commission denied all three proposals to expand these marine reserves, missing the opportunity to expand Cabrillo to a meaningful size and enhance nearby fishing opportunities. South Point and Gull Island proposals would have protected persistent kelp forests.
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Request to expand the western boundary of Point Dume SMCA and change the take allowances to allow recreational take from shore by hook and line and spearfishing.
The Commission advanced an approximately 4.6-square-mile expansion of Point Dume SMCA, extending marine protections along Malibu's coast while allowing recreational shore fishing in the new area.
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Request to modify Pyramid Point SMCA to amend the northern boundary, remove recreational take of true smelt, and continue the current take exemption for Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation.
The Commission approved removing recreational take of true smelt while preserving the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation's Tribal take exemption. Commissioners advanced additional protections for smelt without changing the MPA's boundaries.
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Request to designate a new SMCA near Point Sal that allows recreational take of finfish by hook and line from shore, and to consult with tribes to identify a Tribal name for the SMCA.
The Commission advanced a new SMCA near Point Sal, marking an important win by protecting a critical larval retention zone while enhancing shore fishing opportunities and honoring Tribal stewardship.
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Request to designate a new MPA near Carpinteria as “Mishopshno SMCA” that allows recreational take of finfish by hook and line from shore, and includes a Tribal take exemption for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
The Commission advanced a new SMCA near Carpinteria, filling a connectivity gap in California's MPA network while enhancing fishing opportunity for shore anglers and supporting Tribal stewardship.
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Request to expand a boundary at Point Buchon SMR, and to rename Point Buchon SMCA as the Chumash Co-Managed SMCA and add a Tribal take exemption for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
The Commission advanced the naming proposal and conditionally approved a Tribal harvesting exemption, supporting greater Tribal recognition and honoring cultural practices. Commissioners supported co-management through a separate process but denied the proposed expansion of Point Buchon SMR.
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Request to change fishing regulations at Vandenberg, clarify restrictions at Kashtayit and support marine monitoring near Point Conception.
The Commission denied the proposed fishing regulation changes but supported continued Marine Monitor RADAR use near Point Conception to support enforcement.
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Request to allow recreational hook-and-line fishing from shore along a portion of Vandenberg State Marine Reserve in Santa Barbara County.
The Commission advanced a proposal to reclassify part of Vandenberg State Marine Reserve as an SMCA, allowing for recreational shore fishing opportunities along a half-mile stretch of Surf Beach.
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Request to modify restrictions on boats and fishing gear near sensitive wildlife habitats, including seabird nesting areas.
The Commission denied all three proposals, maintaining important protections for marine mammals, seabirds and sensitive coastal habitats around San Miguel and Anacapa Islands.
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Request to modify Anacapa Island SMCA or Anacapa Island Special Closure to protect eelgrass meadows by limiting use of lobster traps in part or all of the SMCA.
The Commission denied the proposal, maintaining existing commercial lobster fishing regulations and missing an opportunity to introduce year round protection for sensitive and threatened eelgrass habitat.
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Request to change the classification of Footprint SMR, Santa Barbara Island SMR, and Gull Island SMR to SMCAs to allow take of pelagic finfish species through one of several options.
The Commission denied all three proposals, keeping these long-standing marine reserves protected and maintaining their strength.
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Request to reclassify Stewarts Point SMR and Bodega Head SMR to SMCAs and allow commercial take of salmon.
The Commission denied both proposals, upholding important no-take protections at both sites rather than opening these marine reserves to commercial activity.
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Expand Duxbury Reef SMCA to protect the intertidal zone and allow limited recreational fishing.
The Commission denied the proposals, leaving existing boundaries and fishing regulations in place while directing agencies to explore outreach and education opportunities with local partners.
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Request to shift the nearshore boundary between the Laguna Beach SMCA (No Take) and the Dana Point SMCA south to the Laguna Beach city limit, thereby increasing the nearshore area within the no-take SMCA.
The Commission denied the proposed boundary change, missing the chance to protect additional nearshore habitat and passing on an opportunity to examine the feasibility of catch-and-release fishing areas as part of MPA management.
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Petition 2023-14MPA: Sea Urchin Harvesting
Request to allow commercial take of sea urchins in nine MPAs along California’s coast.
Petition 2023-34MPA: Point Buchon SMCA and Farnsworth SMCAs
Request to change the classification of Point Buchon SMCA to an SMR and to change the current take allowance at Farnsworth Onshore SMCA and Farnsworth Offshore SMCA to allow only recreational spearfishing.
Petition 2023-19MPA_AM: New Chitqawi SMCA Near Morro Bay
Request to establish a new SMCA in Estero Bay named Chitqawi with no take other than a Tribal take exemption for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
What’s Next?
The Commission's decisions conclude this stage of California's MPA review, but the process continues.
State agencies will conduct an environmental review of the approved changes, gather additional public input and refine regulations before any changes take effect. Until then, current fishing regulations remain in place.
We'll continue following these proposals and sharing updates as the state moves through the next steps.
Looking Ahead
To everyone who submitted comments, attended meetings or stayed engaged throughout this process, thank you for helping shape a healthier future for our coast!
We have important victories to celebrate and more work ahead. Together, we'll continue advocating for a healthy ocean and thriving fisheries.
Stay on the line. Sign up for updates and future opportunities to get involved.
