California Marine Protected Areas

Important: As of December 19, 2012 new MPA regulations are in effect for the Northern California coast from the Oregon/California border to Point Arena.

Management Area: Northern California (Pigeon Pt. northward)

County: Sonoma

Nearest Port: Bodega Bay

Regulations in Effect Since: 5/1/2010

Boundaries: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

38° 20.10' N. lat. 123° 04.04' W. long.;
38° 20.10' N. lat. 123° 08.38' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
38° 18.00' N. lat. 123° 08.08' W. long.; and
38° 18.00' N. lat. 123° 03.64' W. long.

Recreational Fishing

Allowed Species: None

Prohibited Species: All

Commercial Fishing

Allowed Species: None

Prohibited Species: All

Other Regulations:

Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, it is unlawful to anchor or moor a vessel in the Bodega Head State Marine Reserve without authorization from the director of the Bodega Marine Laboratory.

The director of the Bodega Marine Laboratory may authorize any person who holds a scientific collector's permit from the department, under the conditions prescribed by the department, to enter the Bodega Head State Marine Reserve to take any finfish, invertebrate, or marine plant or algae for scientific purposes.

The director of the Bodega Marine Laboratory may authorize students enrolled in educational programs conducted by the Bodega Marine Laboratory, under general conditions outlined in a memorandum of understanding with the department, to enter the Bodega Head State Marine Reserve to take any finfish, invertebrate, or marine plant or algae for educational and study purposes.

Regulation Section: Title 14, CCR, Section 632 (b) (39)