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: Santa Barbara

Nearest Port: Santa Barbara

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:

34° 44.65' N. lat. 120° 37.75' W. long.;
34° 44.65' N. lat. 120° 40.00' W. long.;
34° 33.25' N. lat. 120° 40.00' W. long.; and
34° 33.25' N. lat. 120° 37.25' W. long.

Recreational Fishing

Allowed Species: None

Prohibited Species: All

Commercial Fishing

Allowed Species: None

Prohibited Species: All

Other Regulations:

Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except take incidental to base operations and commercial space launch operations identified by the Vandenberg Air Force Base Commander as mission critical.

Public Entry. Public entry into the Vandenberg State Marine Reserve may be restricted at the discretion of the department to protect wildlife, aquatic life, or habitat, or by the Commander of Vandenberg Air Force Base to protect and provide safety for base operations.

The Department shall enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commander of Vandenberg Air Force Base for the mutually beneficial management and administration of the Vandenberg State Marine Reserve. The MOU shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of Vandenberg Air Force Base's national defense mission activities that are unrestricted by the subject regulations and details on management and administrative roles and responsibilities.

Regulation Section: Title 14, CCR, Section 632 (b) (95)