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EXISTING STATE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAs)
MLPA Planning Groups
Related Links
Introduction to the MLPA
MLPA Summary | The MLPA Initiative
What is the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)?What is the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (MLPA Initiative)?
What are marine protected areas?
Will the MLPA affect California all at once?
What is the MLPA Initiative timeline?
What are the basic steps in the MLPA Initiative process?
How do I get involved in the process?
Where can I review products and documents for each of the study regions?
How do I find out about public meetings?
What is the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)?
The MLPA was passed in 1999 and is part of the California Fish and Game Code. The MLPA requires California to reevaluate all existing marine protected areas (MPAs) and potentially design new MPAs that together function as a statewide network.The MLPA has clear guidance associated with the development of this MPA network. MPAs are developed on a regional basis with MLPA and MPA specific goals in mind, and are evaluated over time to assess their effectiveness for meeting these goals.
- View the Marine Life Protection Act
- View the Master Plan for Marine Protected Areas
- View the 'Introduction to the MLPA' Video
What is the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (MLPA Initiative)?
The MLPA Initiative is a public-private partnership established to help the State of California implement the MLPA. This is accomplished by using the best readily available science and the advice and assistance of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.
What are marine protected areas?
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are separate geographic marine or estuarine areas designed to protect or conserve marine life and habitat. There are three types of MPAs designated (or recognized) in California: state marine reserve (SMR), state marine park (SMP) and state marine conservation area (SMCA).
Will the MLPA affect California all at once?
No. A regional approach is being used to redesign MPAs along California's 1,100-mile coast. The state has been divided into five study regions:
- Central Coast (Pigeon Point to Point Conception)
- North Central Coast (Alder Creek near Point Arena to Pigeon Point)
- South Coast (Point Conception to the California/Mexico border)
- North Coast (California/Oregon border to Alder Creek near Point Arena)
- San Francisco Bay (waters within San Francisco Bay, from the Golden Gate Bridge northeast to Carquinez Bridge)
What is the MLPA Initiative timeline?
In September of 2007, regulations for the first of the five study regions were implemented for the central coast (Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Conception in Santa Barbara County). In August of 2009, regulations for the north central coast (Alder Creek near Point Arena in Mendocino County to Pigeon Point in San Mateo County, including the Farallon Islands) were adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission and will be implemented in January 2010. In December 2009, the California Fish and Game Commission initiated the regulatory process for the south coast (Point Conception to the California/Mexico border). Currently, the MLPA in the initial planning stages in the north coast (California/Oregon border to Alder Creek near Pigeon Point); the north coast planning process is expected to be completed in December 2010.
What are the basic steps in the MLPA Initiative process?
In each study region, an appointed regional stakeholder group (RSG) develops MPA proposals that are reviewed and evaluated by a science advisory team (SAT), the California Department of Fish and Game, MLPA Initiative staff, the public and a policy-level blue ribbon task force (BRTF). The MPA proposals are then refined by the RSG and presented to the BRTF, who makes a recommendation to the California Fish and Game Commission.
How do I get involved in the process?
The success of the MLPA Initiative depends on the active involvement of stakeholders and the general public. You can get involved in a variety of ways including direct communication with regional stakeholder group members, attendance at workshops and public meetings and by providing input on public documents and MPA proposals as they are developed.
Where can I review products and documents for each of the study regions?
All documents available for comment are posted on the MLPA Initiative website. You can locate those documents open to comment in the Document Archives page for each study region.
How do I find out about public meetings?
All BRTF, SAT and RSG meetings are open to the public and are announced via the MLPA Initaitive email list and website. Meeting agendas and materials are posted to the MLPA website at www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa as they become available prior to each meeting. You can view public meetings (live or archived) on the MLPA Initiative website as well as review meeting summaries which are posted to the website after each meeting. We encourage you to learn more about how these different groups interact and contribute to the overall planning process.