Marine Life Protection Act
North Central Coast Study Region

The MLPA Initiative  |  MLPA Summary  |  Memorandum of Understanding

Commission Adopts MPAs for the North Central Coast

• North Central Coast Marine Protected Areas to Take Effect May 1

On August 5, 2009, the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) voted to adopt its preferred alternative proposal, also known as the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA), for the MLPA north central coast study region. The IPA establishes 21 marine protected areas (MPAs), three State Marine Recreational Management Areas, and six special closures, in total covering approximately 153 square miles (20.1%) of state waters in the north central coast study region, which extends from Alder Creek, near Pt. Arena in Mendocino County, to Pigeon Point in San Mateo County. Approximately 86 square miles (11%) of the 153 square miles are designated as "no take" state marine reserves, while different take allowances providing varying levels of protection are designated for the rest.

These adopted MPAs went into effect on May 1, 2010.

Maps of the adopted MPAs and their associated regulations are available in the Details, Objectives and Maps for Adopted MPAs in the North Central Coast Study Region (Large file size: 3.2 MB).

The north central coast study region was the second of five statewide study regions to complete the MLPA planning process. As mandated by the MLPA, the north central coast planning process (2007-2009) examined all existing MPAs within the study region and created a suite of new MPAs. The MPAs for the north central coast will become part of a statewide network of MPAs once planning in all study regions is complete.

The north central coast MPAs were designed by members of a Regional Stakeholder Group in a collaborative public process that included working closely with the Science Advisory Team (SAT), a Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) and the Department of Fish and Game.

Popular Resources

• North Central Coast Marine Protected Areas to Take Effect May 1
  (posted April 28, 2010)
• North Central Coast Marine Protected Areas
  (includes maps and coordinates)
• Guide to the North-Central Coast Marine Protected Areas
  File size 4.2 MB
• Marine Protected Area Information for Recreational Fishermen
  (brochure)
• Draft North Central Coast Marine Protected Areas Monitoring Plan now available; opportunity for public comment through Monday, December 21, 2009 (posted November 17, 2009)
• North Central Coast Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)
• Fish and Game Commission Considering MPA Alternatives for Adoption in the North Central Coast
• Report on Lessons Learned from the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative: North Central Coast Study Region
  (October 31, 2008; prepared by Harty Conflict Consulting & Mediation)
• MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force Transmits North Central Coast Recommendations to the California Fish and Game Commission
• North Central Coast Blue Ribbon Task Force Integrated Preferred Alternative
  • Description
  • Map (single page of entire study region)
  • Subregion Maps (6 pages)
  • Special Closures
• North Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group MPA Proposals