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: Central California (Pigeon Pt. to Pt. Conception)

County: San Luis Obispo

Nearest Port: Morro Bay

Regulations in Effect Since: 2007

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

35° 32.85' N. lat. 121° 05.85' W. long.;
35° 32.85' N. lat. 121° 06.70' W. long.;
35° 30.50' N. lat. 121° 05.00' W. long.; and
35° 30.50' N. lat. 121° 03.40' W. long.

Recreational Fishing

Allowed Species: None

Prohibited Species: All

Commercial Fishing

Allowed Species: Bull kelp and giant kelp

Prohibited Species: All, except bull kelp and giant kelp

Other Regulations:

Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial take of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis spp.) under the following conditions:

1. A kelp harvester with a valid license issued pursuant to Section 165 and holding a valid lease to Administrative Kelp Bed 208 may take no more than 125 tons of kelp from the portion of Administrative Kelp Bed 208 within the White Rock (Cambria) State Marine Conservation Area in any calendar month.
2. Duplicate landing records must be kept on board the harvest vessel in accordance with the requirements of Section 165.

Regulation Section: Title 14, CCR, Section 632 (b) (90)