Marine Life Protection Act

Introduction to the MLPA  |  MLPA Summary  |  The MLPA Initiative

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) directs the state to reevaluate and redesign California’s system of marine protected areas (MPAs) to: increase coherence and effectiveness in protecting the state’s marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage, as well as to improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems subject to minimal human disturbance. The MLPA also requires the best readily available science be used in the redesign process, as well as the advice and assistance of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.

California has taken a regional approach to redesigning MPAs along its 1,100 mile coastline. Significant progress has been made towards the successful regional implementation of the MLPA and the development of a cohesive statewide network of MPAs. To learn more about each of the regional MPA planning processes, select one of the buttons below, or read the current MLPA planning process update which includes preliminary summary statistics for MPAs throughout all coastal state waters and each of the four completed coastal regional MPA planning processes.

To stay informed, read the current MLPA process update.

News Releases

• DFG and Orange County Successfully Prosecute First MPA Violation
  (posted May 8, 2012)
• Portions of the Blue Cavern State Marine Conservation Area to Reopen for Anchoring and Mooring
  (posted April 30, 2012)
• South Coast Marine Protected Areas Effective January 1
  (posted December 16, 2011)
• DFG Debuts New MPA Mobile Website
  (posted September 29, 2011)
• Fish and Game Commission Votes on New Effective Date for South Coast MPAs
  (posted September 15, 2011)
• Fish and Game Commission Will Discuss New Effective Date for South Coast MPAs
  (posted August 25, 2011)
• Fish and Game Commission Votes on Effective Date for South Coast MPAs
  (posted June 29, 2011)
• California Fish and Game Commission Gives Final Approval for South Coast Marine Protected Areas
  (posted December 16, 2010)
• Task Force Approves Recommendations to Complete California's Open Coast Marine Protected Areas
  (posted October 28, 2010)
• Draft Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Proposed South Coast Marine Protected Areas
  (posted August 18, 2010)
• North Central Coast Marine Protected Areas to Take Effect May 1
  (posted April 28, 2010)
• View the entire MLPA Newsroom