California Marine Protected Areas
County: Ventura
Nearest Port: Port Hueneme
Regulations in Effect Since: 1994
34° 00.828' N. lat. 119° 26.623' W. long.;
34° 00.800' N. lat. 119° 26.700' W. long.;
34° 03.94' N. lat. 119° 26.700' W. long.; thence eastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
34° 04.002' N. lat. 119° 24.600' W. long.; and
34° 00.417' N. lat. 119° 24.600' W. long.
Federal MPA boundary corner coordinates:
(Textual boundary descriptions and related regulations are available in the Federal Register 15 CFR Part 922 and 50 CFR Part 660)
34° 04.998' N. lat. 119° 26.700' W. long.;
34° 04.998' N. lat. 119° 24.600' W. long.;
34° 03.726' N. lat. 119° 24.600' W. long.;
34° 03.780' N. lat. 119° 26.700' W. long.
Allowed Species: Lobster. Pelagic finfish.
Prohibited Species: All marine aquatic plants. Invertebrates EXCEPT lobster. Finfish EXCEPT pelagic finfish.
Allowed Species: Spiny lobster.
Prohibited Species: All marine aquatic plants. Invertebrates EXCEPT spiny lobster. All finfish.
Swimming. No person shall swim, wade, dive, or use any diving equipment within the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve except as authorized pursuant to scientific research approved by the department.
Boating. Except as allowed pursuant to Federal law, no person shall launch or operate a boat or other floating device within the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve except to pass through the area during the normal course of vessel transit along the coast, to avoid inclement weather, or pursuant to scientific research approved by the department.
Firearms. No person shall possess, fire, or discharge any firearm, bow and arrow, air or gas gun, spear gun, or any other weapon of any kind within, or into the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve except as authorized pursuant to scientific research approved by the department.
Public Entry. Public entry into the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve may be restricted at the discretion of the department to protect wildlife, aquatic life, or habitat. No person, except state and local law enforcement officers, fire suppression agencies and employees of the department in the performance of their official duties or persons possessing written permission from the department, or institution or agency entering into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the department, may enter an area which is closed to public entry.
Pesticides, Herbicides, and Other Regulated Chemicals. The use of pesticides, herbicides, and other regulated chemicals is prohibited in the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve except as authorized pursuant to scientific research approved by the department. Where such chemicals are intended to be used as a part of any research program, any necessary authorization and/or permits required to dispense such chemicals into state waters or tide and submerged lands shall be obtained prior to final approval of the research by the department.
Litter. No person shall deposit, drop, or scatter any debris on the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve. Any refuse resulting from a person's use of an area must be removed from that area by such person.
Aircraft. No person shall operate any aircraft or hovercraft within the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve, except as authorized pursuant to scientific research approved by the department.
Pets. Pets, including but not limited to, dogs and cats, are prohibited from entering the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve unless authorized by the department.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The department may enter into MOU's with colleges, universities, and other bonafide research organizations to conduct marine-related research within the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve.
The department shall notify the California Department of Parks and Recreation of scientific research approved within the Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve.
Federal and State Boundaries: The fishing regulations described above pertain to both federal and state portions of this MPA.