Overview
This lecture reviews the ten-year progress of California's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), their successes in marine conservation, and discusses ongoing improvements through public petitions and inclusive management.
California’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
- California’s MPA network consists of 124 protected areas spanning 1,110 miles along the coast.
- MPAs were established by the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) and formalized in 2012.
- MPAs restrict fishing and extractive activities to support biodiversity and marine ecosystem recovery.
MPAs’ Role and Outcomes
- MPAs help marine life recover from unsustainable fishing and protect important habitats.
- The network supports California’s ocean-based economy and contributes to the 30x30 conservation goal (protecting 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030).
- Monitoring shows improved biodiversity and healthier marine populations within MPAs.
- Examples of success include increased abalone stocks in Point Lobos and higher densities of fish in the Channel Islands.
Decadal Management Review (DMR)
- The DMR is a ten-year assessment of the MPA network’s effectiveness in outreach, education, enforcement, and monitoring.
- The review confirms MPAs enhance marine biodiversity and ecological health.
- Ongoing challenges include improving monitoring and ensuring inclusive management, especially for tribal communities.
Public Petition Process for MPA Changes
- The Fish and Game Commission (FGC) invited public petitions from December 2023 to November 2024 for suggested MPA changes.
- Petitions address issues like monitoring, enforcement upgrades, and MPA boundary adjustments.
- Bin 1 petitions (simpler changes) will be reviewed July 17, 2024; more complex (Bin 2 and 3) petitions will be considered later.
- Some petitions focus on tribal rights and greater inclusivity in MPA management.
Key Terms & Definitions
- MPA (Marine Protected Area) — A region of ocean where human activity is limited to protect marine life and habitats.
- MLPA (Marine Life Protection Act) — California law passed in 1999 to create and manage MPAs.
- 30x30 Goal — Plan to permanently conserve 30% of California’s land and waters by 2030.
- Decadal Management Review (DMR) — Comprehensive ten-year evaluation of the effectiveness of California's MPAs.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review public petitions and proposed changes to MPAs as discussed in current and upcoming FGC meetings.
- Engage with the petition process to suggest improvements or protections for local MPAs.
- Prepare for upcoming discussions about MPA inclusivity, especially regarding tribal management and access.