Southern California

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for the Southern California Coast were established in 2012. The Southern California Coast covers California state waters (generally 0-3 nm from shore) between Point Conception (Santa Barbara County) and the California/Mexico border, and also includes the state waters around the Channel Islands

The different types of MPAs are:

18 new or modified State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCA) that allow limited recreational and commercial take (Plus two pre-existing SMCAs at Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands)
11 new “No Take” SMCAs that prohibit recreational and commercial take
8 new “No Take” State Marine Reserves (SMRs) that prohibit recreational and commercial take (Plus 11 pre-existing SMRs around the northern Channel Islands and Santa Barbara Island)
2 pre-existing special closures at San Miguel and Anacapa Islands

Guide to North Central Coast MPAs can be downloaded here: PDF

Full Booklet (116 pages, plus cover – 9.9 MB)
Frontmatter (pages 1-11, plus front cover – 2.7 MB)
Includes: Table of Contents, General Rules That Apply to All MPAs, Frequently Asked Questions, Area Maps
Mainland Marine Protected Areas (pages 12-66 – 3.5 MB)
Islands Marine Protected Areas (pages 67-116, plus back cover – 4.3 MB)