Overview
California marine protected areas
CDFW maps 157 marine protected areas and special closures along the California coast; 83 of them allow no take at all.
Every bay and pier page on this site lists the MPAs closest to it with the take CDFW allows inside each.
Larger dots allow no take. CDFW Marine Protected Areas layer, last edited 2025-09-30.
By area
MPAs by groundfish management area
Northern area (14)
| Area | Type | County | What CDFW allows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyramid Point SMCA | SMCA | Del Norte | Recreational take of surf smelt by dip net or Hawaiian-type throw net is allowed. Includes take exemptions for some tribes. |
| Point St. George Reef Offshore SMCA | SMCA | Del Norte | Recreational and commercial take of salmon by trolling or troll fishing gear, and Dungeness crab by trap is allowed. Includes take exemptions for some |
| Southwest Seal Rock Special Closure | Special Closure | Del Norte | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| Castle Rock Special Closure | Special Closure | Del Norte | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| False Klamath Rock Special Closure | Special Closure | Del Norte | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| Reading Rock SMR | SMR | Humboldt | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Reading Rock SMCA | SMCA | Humboldt | Recreational take of salmon by trolling, surf smelt by dip net or Hawaiian-type throw net and Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed. Com |
| Samoa SMCA | SMCA | Humboldt | Recreational take of salmon by trolling, surf smelt by dip net or Hawaiian-type throw net and Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed. Com |
| South Humboldt Bay SMRMA | SMRMA | Humboldt | Take of waterfowl in accordance with general waterfowl hunting regulations is allowed. Includes take exemptions for some tribes. |
| Sugarloaf Island Special Closure | Special Closure | Humboldt | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| South Cape Mendocino SMR | SMR | Humboldt | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Steamboat Rock Special Closure | Special Closure | Humboldt | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| Mattole Canyon SMR | SMR | Humboldt | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Sea Lion Gulch SMR | SMR | Humboldt | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
Mendocino area (14)
| Area | Type | County | What CDFW allows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Flat SMCA | SMCA | Humboldt | Recreational take of salmon by trolling and Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed. Commercial take of salmon with troll fishing gear and |
| Double Cone Rock SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Recreational take of salmon by trolling and Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed. Commercial take of salmon with troll fishing gear and |
| Vizcaino Rock Special Closure | Special Closure | Mendocino | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| Ten Mile SMR | SMR | Mendocino | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Ten Mile Beach SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed. Commercial take of Dungeness crab by trap is allowed. Includes take exemptio |
| Ten Mile Estuary SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Take of waterfowl in accordance with general waterfowl hunting regulations is allowed. Includes take exemptions for some tribes. |
| MacKerricher SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Commercial and recreational take in accordance with current regulations is allowed. Commercial take of bull kelp and giant kelp is prohibited. |
| Point Cabrillo SMR | SMR | Mendocino | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Russian Gulch SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Commercial and recreational take in accordance with current regulations is allowed. Commercial take of bull kelp and giant kelp is prohibited. |
| Big River Estuary SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Recreational take of surfperch by hook-and-line from shore only, and Dungeness crab by hoop net or hand is allowed. Take of waterfowl in accordance wi |
| Van Damme SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Commercial and recreational take in accordance with current regulations is allowed. Commercial take of bull kelp and giant kelp is prohibited. |
| Navarro River Estuary SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Recreational take of salmonids by hook-and-line in accordance with salmonid regulations is allowed. Take of waterfowl in accordance with general water |
| Point Arena SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Recreational and commercial take of salmon by trolling is allowed. |
| Point Arena SMR | SMR | Mendocino | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
San Francisco area (38)
| Area | Type | County | What CDFW allows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Lion Cove SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Recreational and commercial take of finfish is allowed. |
| Saunders Reef SMCA | SMCA | Mendocino | Recreational and commercial take of salmon by trolling is allowed. Commercial take of urchin is allowed. |
| Del Mar Landing SMR | SMR | Sonoma | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Stewarts Point SMCA | SMCA | Sonoma | Recreational take of plants (no sea palm), invertebrates, finfish by hook-and-line, surf smelt by beach net, and species listed in CCR T14 §28.80 by h |
| Stewarts Point SMR | SMR | Sonoma | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Salt Point SMCA | SMCA | Sonoma | Recreational take of abalone and finfish is allowed. |
| Gerstle Cove SMR | SMR | Sonoma | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Russian River SMCA | SMCA | Sonoma | Recreational and commercial take of Dungeness crab by trap is allowed. Recreational take of surf smelt by hand-held dip net or beach net is allowed. |
| Russian River SMRMA | SMRMA | Sonoma | Take of waterfowl in accordance with general waterfowl hunting regulations is allowed. |
| Bodega Head SMR | SMR | Sonoma | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. No anchoring in Bodega Marine Science Center M |
| Estero Americano SMRMA | SMRMA | Sonoma | Take of waterfowl in accordance with general waterfowl hunting regulations is allowed. |
| Bodega Head SMCA | SMCA | Marin | Recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, market squid by hand-held dip net, and pelagic finfish by trolling is allowed. Commercial take of Dungene |
| Estero de San Antonio SMRMA | SMRMA | Marin | Take of waterfowl in accordance with general waterfowl hunting regulations is allowed. |
| Peytonia Slough SMP | SMP | Solano | Recreational take of species other than marine aquatic plants by hook-and-line is allowed. Only lightweight, hand-carried boats may be launched or ope |
| Fagan Marsh SMP | SMP | Napa | Recreational take of species other than marine aquatic plants by hook-and-line is allowed. Only lightweight, hand-carried boats may be launched or ope |
| Drakes Estero SMCA | SMCA | Marin | Recreational take of clams is allowed. |
| Estero de Limantour SMR | SMR | Marin | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Point Reyes SMR | SMR | Marin | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Point Resistance Rock Special Closure | Special Closure | Marin | No person except employees of CDFW, USFWS, NPS, or USCG, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by CDFW, shall enter thi |
| Point Reyes Headlands Special Closure | Special Closure | Marin | No person except employees of CDFW, USFWS, NPS, or USCG, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by CDFW, shall enter thi |
| Marin Islands SMP | SMP | Marin | Recreational take of species other than marine aquatic plants by hook-and-line from shore only is allowed. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are p |
| Point Reyes SMCA | SMCA | Marin | Recreational and commercial take of salmon by trolling and Dungeness crab by trap is allowed. |
| Double Point/Stormy Stack Rock Special Closure | Special Closure | Marin | No person except employees of CDFW, USFWS, NPS, or USCG, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by CDFW, shall enter thi |
| Corte Madera Marsh SMP | SMP | Marin | Recreational take of species other than marine aquatic plants by hook-and-line is allowed. Only lightweight, hand-carried boats may be launched or ope |
| Duxbury Reef SMCA | SMCA | Marin | Recreational take of abalone and finfish from shore only is allowed. |
| Albany Mudflats SMP | SMP | Alameda | Recreational take of species other than marine aquatic plants by hook-and-line from shore only is allowed. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are p |
| North Farallon Islands SMR | SMR | San Francisco | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| North Farallon Islands Special Closure | Special Closure | San Francisco | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| Robert W. Crown SMCA | SMCA | Alameda | Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line is allowed. Commercial take of finfish and kelp is allowed. |
| Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure West Side | Special Closure | San Francisco | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure East Side | Special Closure | San Francisco | Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high ti |
| Southeast Farallon Island SMR | SMR | San Francisco | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Southeast Farallon Island SMCA | SMCA | San Francisco | Recreational and commercial take of salmon by trolling is allowed. |
| Egg (Devil's Slide) Rock to Devil's Slide Special Closure | Special Closure | San Mateo | No person except employees of CDFW, USFWS, BLM, NOAA or USCG, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by CDFW, shall ente |
| Redwood Shores SMP | SMP | San Mateo | Recreational take of species other than marine aquatic plants by hook-and-line is allowed. Only lightweight, hand-carried boats may be launched or ope |
| Bair Island SMP | SMP | San Mateo | Recreational take of species other than kelp by hook-and-line from shore only is allowed. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within |
| Montara SMR | SMR | San Mateo | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Pillar Point SMCA | SMCA | San Mateo | Recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, market squid by hand-held dip net, and pelagic finfish by trolling is allowed. Commercial take of Dungene |
Central area (30)
| Area | Type | County | What CDFW allows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Año Nuevo SMR | SMR | San Mateo | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Greyhound Rock SMCA | SMCA | Santa Cruz | Recreational and commercial take of salmon and squid, and giant kelp by hand is allowed. Recreational take of other finfish by hook-and-line from shor |
| Natural Bridges SMR | SMR | Santa Cruz | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Soquel Canyon SMCA | SMCA | Santa Cruz | Recreational and commercial take of pelagic finfish is allowed. |
| Elkhorn Slough SMR | SMR | Monterey | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Elkhorn Slough SMCA | SMCA | Monterey | Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line only, and clams from the slough’s north shore near the Moss Landing State Wildlife Area, is allowed. |
| Moro Cojo Slough SMR | SMR | Monterey | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Portuguese Ledge SMCA | SMCA | Monterey | Recreational and commercial take of pelagic finfish is allowed. |
| Pacific Grove Marine Gardens SMCA | SMCA | Monterey | Recreational take of finfish is allowed. Commercial take of giant kelp and bull kelp by hand is allowed. |
| Asilomar SMR | SMR | Monterey | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Lovers Point – Julia Platt SMR | SMR | Monterey | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Edward F. Ricketts SMCA | SMCA | Monterey | Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line only is allowed. Commercial take of giant kelp and bull kelp by hand is allowed. |
| Carmel Pinnacles SMR | SMR | Monterey | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Carmel Bay SMCA | SMCA | Monterey | Recreational take of finfish is allowed. Commercial take of giant kelp and bull kelp by hand is allowed. |
| Point Lobos SMCA | SMCA | Monterey | Recreational and commercial take of salmon and albacore is allowed. Commercial take of spot prawn is allowed. |
| Point Lobos SMR | SMR | Monterey | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Point Sur SMR | SMR | Monterey | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Point Sur SMCA | SMCA | Monterey | Recreational and commercial take of salmon and albacore is allowed. |
| Big Creek SMCA | SMCA | Monterey | Recreational and commercial take of salmon and albacore is allowed. Commercial take of spot prawn is allowed. |
| Big Creek SMR | SMR | Monterey | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Piedras Blancas SMCA | SMCA | San Luis Obispo | Recreational and commercial take of salmon and albacore is allowed. |
| Piedras Blancas SMR | SMR | San Luis Obispo | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Cambria SMCA/SMP | SMCA | San Luis Obispo | Recreational take of living marine resources is allowed. |
| White Rock SMCA | SMCA | San Luis Obispo | Commercial take of giant kelp and bull kelp is allowed. |
| Morro Bay SMRMA | SMRMA | San Luis Obispo | North of latitude 35° 19.700’ N only: Recreational take of finfish, commercial oyster aquaculture, and storing finfish taken outside of the SMRMA for |
| Morro Bay SMR | SMR | San Luis Obispo | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Point Buchon SMR | SMR | San Luis Obispo | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Point Buchon SMCA | SMCA | San Luis Obispo | Recreational and commercial take of salmon and albacore is allowed. |
| Vandenberg SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Kashtayit SMCA | SMCA | Santa Barbara | Recreational take of finfish, giant kelp by hand and invertebrates except rock scallops and mussels is allowed. Includes take exemptions for some trib |
Southern area (61)
| Area | Type | County | What CDFW allows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples SMCA | SMCA | Santa Barbara | Recreational take of white seabass and pelagic finfish by spearfishing is allowed. Commercial take of giant kelp is allowed. Includes take exemptions |
| Point Conception SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Goleta Slough SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | Santa Barbara | Take incidental to certain permitted activities is allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b)(100) for details. |
| Campus Point SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | Santa Barbara | Take incidental to certain permitted activities is allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b)(99) for details. |
| Harris Point FMR | FMR | Santa Barbara | NOAA prohibits any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, including li |
| Scorpion FMR | FMR | Santa Barbara | NOAA prohibits any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, including li |
| Richardson Rock FMR | FMR | Santa Barbara | NOAA prohibits any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, including li |
| Richardson Rock SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Harris Point SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Painted Cave SMCA | SMCA | Santa Barbara | Recreational take of spiny lobster and pelagic finfish is allowed. |
| Scorpion SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Anacapa Island FMCA | FMCA | Ventura | Regulations prohibit any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, includ |
| Anacapa Island FMR | FMR | Ventura | NOAA prohibits any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, including li |
| Carrington Point SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Anacapa Island SMCA | SMCA | Ventura | Recreational take of spiny lobster and pelagic finfish is allowed. Commercial take of spiny lobster is allowed. Includes take exemptions for some trib |
| Anacapa Island SMR | SMR | Ventura | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| San Miguel Island Special Closure | Special Closure | Santa Barbara | Boats are prohibited closer than a distance of 300 yd. seaward of the lower low tide line of any shoreline of the special closure area. Mar 15-Apr 30 |
| Anacapa Island Special Closure – Brown Pelican Fledgling Area | Special Closure | Ventura | No person except employees of CDFW or NPS shall enter the brown pelican fledgling area (Portuguese Rock to Frenchy's Cove out to 20 fathoms). See CCR |
| Anacapa Island Special Closure | Special Closure | Ventura | No net or trap may be set in waters less than 20 ft deep off Anacapa Island. See CCR T14 §632(b)(111)(A) for details. |
| Judith Rock SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Point Dume SMCA | SMCA | Los Angeles | Recreational take of white seabass and pelagic finfish by spearfishing is allowed. Commercial take of coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail |
| Point Dume SMR | SMR | Los Angeles | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Footprint SMR | SMR | Ventura | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Skunk Point SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Gull Island SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Footprint FMR | FMR | Ventura | NOAA prohibits any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, including li |
| Gull Island FMR | FMR | Santa Barbara | NOAA prohibits any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, including li |
| South Point SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| South Point FMR | FMR | Santa Barbara | NOAA prohibits any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, including li |
| Point Vicente SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | Los Angeles | Take incidental to certain permitted activities is allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b)(119) for details. |
| Abalone Cove SMCA | SMCA | Los Angeles | Recreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net, and white seabass and pelagic finfish by spearfishing is allowed. Commercial take of coastal p |
| Bolsa Bay SMCA | SMCA | Orange | Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore in designated areas is allowed. Entry permitted only on established trails, paths or other de |
| Bolsa Chica Basin SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | Orange | Take incidental to certain permitted activities is allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b)(122) for details. |
| Upper Newport Bay SMCA | SMCA | Orange | Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore only is allowed. Shoreline access limited to established trails, paths, or other designated a |
| Crystal Cove SMCA | SMCA | Orange | Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing and take of spiny lobster and sea urchin is allowed. Commercial take of sea urchin; spin |
| Laguna Beach SMR | SMR | Orange | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Laguna Beach SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | Orange | Take incidental to certain permitted activities is allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b) for details. |
| Blue Cavern Offshore SMCA | SMCA | Los Angeles | Recreational take of market squid by handheld dip net, pelagic finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, and white seabass by spearfishing is allow |
| Dana Point SMCA | SMCA | Orange | Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing, and spiny lobster and urchin is allowed. Commercial take of spiny lobster by trap, sea |
| Arrow Point to Lion Head Point SMCA | SMCA | Los Angeles | Recreational take of marine plants and finfish is allowed. Take of invertebrates is prohibited. |
| Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | Los Angeles | No anchoring in Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge (see map for additional restrictions). Take incidental to certain permitted activiti |
| Santa Barbara Island SMR | SMR | Santa Barbara | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Cat Harbor SMCA | SMCA | Los Angeles | Recreational take of spiny lobster and sea urchin, squid by hook-and-line, and finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing is allowed. Commercial take of |
| Long Point SMR | SMR | Los Angeles | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Santa Barbara Island FMR | FMR | Santa Barbara | NOAA prohibits any harvesting, removing, taking, injuring, destroying, collecting, moving, or causing the loss of any Sanctuary resource, including li |
| Begg Rock SMR | SMR | Ventura | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Casino Point SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | Los Angeles | Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is permitted. See CCR T14 §632(b)(127) for details. |
| Lover's Cove SMCA | SMCA | Los Angeles | Recreational take by hook-and-line from Cabrillo Mole only is allowed. Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is allowed. |
| Farnsworth Offshore SMCA | SMCA | Los Angeles | Recreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net; white seabass by spearfishing; pelagic finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing, and marlin, t |
| Farnsworth Onshore SMCA | SMCA | Los Angeles | Recreational take of market squid by handheld dip net; white seabass and pelagic finfish by spearfishing; and marlin, tuna and dorado by trolling is a |
| Batiquitos Lagoon SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | San Diego | Take incidental to certain permitted activities is allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b) for details. |
| Swami's SMCA | SMCA | San Diego | Recreational take by hook-and-line from shore, and white seabass and pelagic finfish by spearfishing is allowed. |
| San Elijo Lagoon SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | San Diego | Take incidental to certain permitted activities is allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b) for details. |
| San Dieguito Lagoon SMCA | SMCA | San Diego | Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore is allowed. Boating, swimming, wading and diving are prohibited. Closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
| San Diego-Scripps Coastal SMCA | SMCA | San Diego | Recreational take of coastal pelagic species except market squid, by hook-and-line only is allowed. |
| Matlahuayl SMR | SMR | San Diego | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| South La Jolla SMCA | SMCA | San Diego | Recreational take of pelagic finfish by hook-and-line only is allowed. |
| South La Jolla SMR | SMR | San Diego | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Famosa Slough SMCA (No-Take) | SMCA (No-Take) | San Diego | Take incidental to certain permitted activities is allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b) for details. |
| Cabrillo SMR | SMR | San Diego | It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. |
| Tijuana River Mouth SMCA | SMCA | San Diego | Recreational take of coastal pelagic species except market squid, by hand-held dip net only is allowed. Commercial take of coastal pelagic species exc |
Answers
California MPA questions
How many marine protected areas does California have?
157 on the CDFW layer, including special closures and federal reserves.
What is an SMR?
A State Marine Reserve, where all take is prohibited.
What is an SMCA?
A State Marine Conservation Area, where some take is allowed as listed; no-take SMCAs allow none.
Can I fish from shore in an MPA?
Only what the MPA rules allow; in a reserve, nothing.
Do MPA rules apply to public piers?
Yes; a pier inside or next to an MPA does not override it.
Where are the boundaries?
Each MPA links to its CDFW page with maps and coordinates.
Which area has the most MPAs?
The Southern area.
Where is the data from?
The CDFW Marine Protected Areas layer and regulation text.