Marine Life Protection Act
South Coast Study Region

The MLPA Initiative  |  MLPA Summary  |  Memorandum of Understanding

On December 15, 2010 the California Fish and Game Commission adopted regulations to create a suite of marine protected areas (MPAs) in southern California (Point Conception to the California/Mexico border). This network of 50 MPAs and 2 special closures (including 13 MPAs and 2 special closures previously established at the northern Channel Islands) covers approximately 354 square miles of state waters and represents approximately 15% of the region.

These new MPAs will go into effect on January 1, 2012. Until that time all previously existing southern California MPAs and associated regulations are still in effect. A comprehensive list of all California MPAs in effect can be found through the Existing State Marine Protected Areas page.

Popular Resources

• South Coast Study Region Marine Protected Areas adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission (Effective January 1, 2012)
  • South Coast Marine Protected Areas
    (includes maps and coordinates)
  • News Release: South Coast Marine Protected Areas Effective January 1 (December 16, 2011)
  • News Release: Fish and Game Commission Votes on New Effective Date for South Coast MPAs (September 15, 2011)
  • News Release: Fish and Game Commission Will Discuss New Effective Date for South Coast MPAs (August 25, 2011)
  • News Release: Fish and Game Commission Votes on Effective Date for South Coast MPAs (June 29, 2011)
  • News Release: California Fish and Game Commission Gives Final Approval for South Coast Marine Protected Areas (December 16, 2010)
  • Decision Scorecard for Selected Options
• Adoption Hearing Materials for proposed South Coast MPAs
  • Revised Proposed Regulatory Language for South Coast MPAs
  • California Fish and Game Commission, Amended Initial Statement of Reasons for Regulatory Action Regarding South Coast MPAs
    (amended November 3, 2010)
• Revised Proposed Regulatory Language, Section 632, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (Marine Protected Areas, Marine Managed Areas, and Special Closures)
  • Decision Matrix for proposed MPAs in the MLPA South Coast Study Region
    (December 1, 2010)
• Final Environmental Impact Report
  (posted December 7, 2010)
• California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative South Coast Project: Staff Assessment of South Coast Marine Protected Area Sub-Options
  (October 9, 2010)
• News Release: Draft Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Proposed South Coast Marine Protected Areas
  (posted August 18, 2010)
• Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas
• Upcoming Meetings
• Public Comments
• Newsletter: South Coast News