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North Central California Marine Protected Areas

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California's MPA Network

California's MPA network uses different marine managed area (MMA) classifications. These classifications are defined in the Marine Managed Areas Improvement Act (MMAIA), which is used to designate marine areas intended to protect, conserve, or otherwise manage a variety of resources and their uses including living marine resources and their habitats, scenic views, water quality, recreational values, and cultural or geological resources. MPAs are primarily intended to protect or conserve marine life and habitat, and are a subset of MMAs.

California's MPA network includes three MPA designations (State Marine Reserve, State Marine Conservation Area, and State Marine Park) and one additional MMA designation (State Marine Recreational Management Area); special closure areas, established by the Fish and Game Commission, are also managed within the California MPA network.

 

Marine protected areas (MPAs) in the north central coast (Alder Creek near Point Arena to Pigeon Point) have been in effect since May 1, 2010. State waters in this area cover approximately 763 square miles of ocean, estuary, and offshore rock/island waters. The north central coast network includes 25 new or modified areas (22 MPAs and 3 marine recreational management areas) covering approximately 154 square miles or about 20 percent of the north central coast. Six special closures are also part of the network. The following summarizes the designations managed within the north coast MPA network.

NumberTypeDescription
10
State Marine Reserve (SMR)An MPA designation that prohibits damage or take of all marine resources (living, geologic, or cultural) including recreational and commercial take
12
State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA)An MPA designation that may allow some recreational and/or commercial take of marine resources (restrictions vary)
3
State Marine Recreational Management Area (SMRMA)A MMA designation that limits recreational and commercial take of marine resources while allowing for legal waterfowl hunting to occur; provides subtidal protection equivalent to an MPA (restrictions vary)
6
Special ClosureAn area designated by the Fish and Game Commission that prohibits access or restricts boating activities in waters adjacent to sea bird rookeries or marine mammal haul-out sites (restrictions vary)

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Cover: Brochure: California Marine Protected Areas - North Central California  Cover: Guide to the North-Central California Marine Protected Areas

Guide to the North-Central California Marine Protected Areas PDF file
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MPA Summaries and Maps

Note: Map Datum used is North American Datum 1983 (NAD83) and position format is in Degrees Minutes Decimal Minutes (DDD MM.MMM). Shown map boundaries are superceded by regulations published in Title 14, Section 632, California Code of Regulations.

Maps are presented for each MPA. JPG maps are low-resolution files that can be quickly viewed on most computers. PDF maps are higher-resolution maps that include coordinate and regulation information.

  • Map of North-Central Coast MPAs (all): JPG | PDF
  • Map of North-Central Coast MPAs (northern): JPG | PDF
  • Map of North-Central Coast MPAs (southern): JPG | PDF

Point Arena State Marine Reserve

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

38° 57.35' N. lat. 123° 44.50' W. long.;
38° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 44.50' W. long.;
38° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 46.00' W. long.;
38° 56.40' N. lat. 123° 46.00' W. long.; and
38° 56.40' N. lat. 123° 43.82' W. long

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Point Arena State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

38° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 46.00' W. long.;
38° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 48.16' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
38° 56.40' N. lat. 123° 48.35' W. long.;
38° 56.40' N. lat. 123° 46.00' W. long.; and
38° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 46.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT the recreational take of salmon by trolling and the commercial take of salmon with troll fishing gear.

Sea Lion Cove State Marine Conservation Area

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

38° 56.40' N. lat. 123° 43.82' W. long.;
38° 56.40' N. lat. 123° 44.00' W. long.;
38° 55.79' N. lat. 123° 44.00' W. long.; and
38° 55.79' N. lat. 123° 43.74' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: The recreational and commercial take of all marine invertebrates and marine aquatic plants is prohibited. Take of all other species is allowed.

Saunders Reef State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: 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° 51.80' N. lat. 123° 39.23' W. long.;
38° 51.80' N. lat. 123° 44.78' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
38° 50.00' N. lat. 123° 42.58' W. long.; and
38° 50.00' N. lat. 123° 37.60' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT:

  1. The recreational take of salmon by trolling
  2. The commercial take of salmon with troll fishing gear, and urchin

Del Mar Landing State Marine Reserve

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

38° 44.70' N. lat. 123° 31.00' W. long.;
38° 44.20' N. lat. 123° 31.00' W. long.;
38° 44.20' N. lat. 123° 30.30' W. long.; and
38° 44.43' N. lat. 123° 30.30' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Stewarts Point State Marine Conservation Area

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

38° 40.500' N. lat. 123° 25.370' W. long.;
38° 40.500' N. lat. 123° 25.500' W. long.;
38° 37.500' N. lat. 123° 23.500' W. long.; and
38° 37.535' N. lat. 123° 23.027' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the following may be taken recreationally from shore only: marine aquatic plants other than sea palm, marine invertebrates, finfish by hook and line, surf smelt by beach net, and species authorized in Section 28.80 of these regulations by handheld dip net.

Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: 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° 40.50' N. lat. 123° 25.37' W. long.;
38° 40.50' N. lat. 123° 30.24' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
38° 35.60' N. lat. 123° 26.01' W. long.; and
38° 35.60' N. lat. 123° 20.80' W. long. except that Stewarts Point State Marine Conservation Area as described in subsection 632(b)(11)(A) is excluded.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area

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

38° 35.60' N. lat. 123° 20.80' W. long.;
38° 35.60' N. lat. 123° 21.00' W. long.;
38° 33.50' N. lat. 123° 21.00' W. long.; and
38° 33.50' N. lat. 123° 18.91' W. long., except that Gerstle Cove as described in subsection 632(b)(14)(A) is excluded.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT: the recreational take of abalone and finfish.

Gerstle Cove State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: This area lies within the Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area and is bounded by the mean high tide line and a straight line connecting the following points:

38° 33.95' N. lat. 123° 19.92' W. long.; and
38° 33.95' N. lat. 123° 19.76' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Russian River State Marine Recreational Management Area

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Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line eastward of the mouth of the Russian River Estuary defined as a line connecting the following two points:

38° 27.16' N. lat. 123° 07.91' W. long.; and
38° 27.01' N. lat. 123° 07.74' W. long.
and westward of the Highway 1 Bridge.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except recreational hunting of waterfowl is allowed unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations (sections 502, 550, 551, and 552).

Russian River State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line, the mouth of the Russian River estuary as defined in subsection 632(b)(14)(A), and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

38° 27.38' N. lat. 123° 08.58' W. long.;
38° 26.38' N. lat. 123° 08.58' W. long.; and
38° 26.38' N. lat. 123° 07.70' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT:

  1. The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, and surf smelt by hand-held dip nets or beach nets.
  2. The commercial take of Dungeness crab by trap.

Bodega Head State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: 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.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Bodega Head State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: 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° 18.00' N. lat. 123° 03.64' W. long.;
38° 18.00' N. lat. 123° 08.08' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
38° 13.34' N. lat. 123° 03.51' W. long.; and
38° 17.93' N. lat. 123° 03.51' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT:

  1. The recreational take of pelagic finfish by trolling, Dungeness crab by trap and market squid by hand-held dip net.
  2. The commercial take of pelagic finfish with troll fishing gear or seine, Dungeness crab by trap, and market squid by round haul net.

Estero Americano State Marine Recreational Managed Area

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Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Estero Americano westward of longitude 122° 59.25' W.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT: the recreational hunting of waterfowl is allowed unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations (sections 502, 550, 551, and 552).

Estero de San Antonio State Marine Recreational Managed Area

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Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Estero de San Antonio westward of longitude 122° 57.40' W.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT: the recreational hunting of waterfowl is allowed unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations (sections 502, 550, 551, and 552).

Point Reyes State Marine Reserve

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

37° 59.90' N. lat. 123° 01.29' W. long.;
37° 59.90' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.;
37° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.;
37° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.;
37° 59.00' N. lat. 122° 57.34' W. long.; and
38° 01.75' N. lat. 122° 55.00' W. long.; thence westward along the mean high tide line onshore boundary to
38° 01.783' N. lat. 122° 55.286' W. long.; and
38° 01.954' N. lat. 122° 56.451' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Point Reyes State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

37° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.;
37° 56.71' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.; thence eastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 56.36' N. lat. 122° 57.34' W. long.;
37° 59.00' N. lat. 122° 57.34' W. long.; and
37° 59.00' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited, EXCEPT:

  1. The recreational take of salmon by trolling, and Dungeness crab by trap.
  2. The commercial take of salmon with trolling gear, and Dungeness crab by trap.

Point Reyes Headlands Special Closure

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Boundary: A special closure is designated on the south side of the Point Reyes Headlands from the mean high tide line to a distance of 1000 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline between lines extending due south from each of the following two points:

37° 59.65' N. lat. 123° 01.00' W. long; and
37° 59.39' N. lat. 122° 57.80' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: No person except department employees or employees of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, or United States Coast Guard, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by the department, shall enter this area at any time.

Estero de Limantour State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within Estero de Limantour and within Drakes Estero, southward of a line connecting the following two points:

38° 02.66' N. lat. 122° 56.89' W. long.; and
38° 02.66' N. lat. 122° 56.15' W. long.
And northward of a line connecting the following two points:
38° 01.783' N. lat. 122° 55.286' W. long.; and
38° 01.954' N. lat. 122° 56.451' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Drake's Estero State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Drakes Estero northward of a line connecting the following two points:

38° 02.66' N. lat. 122° 56.89' W. long.; and
38° 02.66' N. lat. 122° 56.15' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT:

  1. The recreational take of clams.
  2. The commercial aquaculture of shellfish pursuant to a valid State Water Bottom Lease and permit.

Point Resistance Rock Special Closure

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Boundary: A special closure is designated from the mean lower low tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of any shoreline of Point Resistance Rock, located in the vicinity of 37° 59.92' N. lat. 122° 49.75' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: No person except department employees or employees of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, or United States Coast Guard, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by the department, shall enter this area at any time.

Double Point/Stormy Stack Special Closure

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Boundary: A special closure is designated from the mean lower low tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of any shoreline of Stormy Stack Rock, located in the vicinity of 37° 56.83' N. lat. 122° 47.14' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: No person except department employees or employees of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, or United States Coast Guard, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by the department, shall enter this area at any time.

Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line, a distance of 1000 feet seaward of mean lower low water, and the following points:

37° 55.52' N. lat. 122° 44.17' W. long.;
37° 55.42' N. lat. 122° 44.31' W. long.;
37° 53.65' N. lat. 122° 41.91' W. long.; and
37° 53.77' N. lat. 122° 42.02' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT: the recreational take of finfish from shore only, and the recreational take of abalone.

Egg (Devil's Slide) Rock to Devil's Slide Special Closure

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Boundary: A special closure is designated from the mean high tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of any of the three rocks comprising Egg (Devil's Slide) Rock, located in the vicinity of

37° 34.64' N. lat. 122° 31.29' W. long.;
37° 34.66' N. lat. 122° 31.32' W. long; and
37° 34.63' N. lat. 122° 31.29' W. long.;

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

37° 34.74' N. lat. 122° 31.08' W. long.;
37° 34.72' N. lat. 122° 31.31' W. long.;
37° 34.60' N. lat. 122° 31.33' W. long.; and
37° 34.52' N. lat. 122° 31.21' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Special regulations on boating and access apply as follows:

  1. Transit in between the rock and the mainland between these points is prohibited at any time.
  2. No person except department employees or employees of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or United States Coast Guard, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by the department, shall enter this area.

Montara State Marine Reserve

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

37° 32.70' N. lat. 122° 31.00' W. long.;
37° 32.70' N. lat. 122° 34.91' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 30.00' N. lat. 122° 34.61' W. long.; and
37° 30.00' N. lat. 122° 29.93' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area

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

37° 30.00' N. lat. 122° 29.93' W. long.;
37° 30.00' N. lat. 122° 34.61' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 28.33' N. lat. 122° 33.47' W. long.;
37° 28.33' N lat. 122° 30.83' W. long.;
37° 29.18' N lat. 122° 30.36' W. long.; and
37° 29.74' N lat. 122° 29.97' W, long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT:

  1. The recreational take of pelagic finfish by trolling, Dungeness crab by trap and squid by hand-held dip net.
  2. The commercial take of pelagic finfish with troll fishing gear or seine, Dungeness crab by trap and market squid by round haul net.

North Farallon Islands State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

37° 45.70' N. lat. 122° 59.08' W. long.; thence northwestward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 49.34' N. lat. 123° 7.00' W. long.;
37° 45.70' N. lat. 123° 7.00' W. long.; and
37° 45.70' N. lat. 122° 59.08' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

North Farallon Islands Special Closure

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Boundary: Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, or as authorized by subsection 632(b)(29)(C), no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high tide line to a distance of 1000 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of North Farallon Island, or to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of the remaining three southern islets, including the Island of St. James, in the vicinity of 37° 46' N. lat. 123° 06' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Special regulations on boating and access apply to the North Farallon Islands as follows:

  1. No person except department employees or employees of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or United States Coast Guard, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by the department, shall enter the area defined in subsection 632(b)(29)(B).
  2. All vessels shall observe a five (5) nautical mile per hour speed limit within 1,000 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of the islets defined in subsection 632(b)(29)(B).
  3. In an area bounded by the mean high tide line and a distance of one nautical mile seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any of the four islets comprising the North Farallon Islands, the following restrictions apply:
    1. All commercial diving vessels operating in the defined area shall have their vessel engine exhaust system terminate either through a muffler for dry exhaust systems, or below the vessel waterline for wet exhaust systems.
    2. All commercial diving vessels equipped with an open, deck-mounted air compressor system, while operating in the defined area, shall have their air compressor's engine exhaust system terminate below the vessel waterline.

Southeast Farallon Island State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

37° 42.60' N. lat. 122° 59.50' W. long.;
37° 42.60' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.;
37° 40.50' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.;
37° 40.50' N. lat. 122° 59.50' W. long.; and
37° 42.60' N. lat. 122° 59.50' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure

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Boundary: Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, or as authorized by subsection 632(b)(32)(D), no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of the Southeast Farallon Island year-round EXCEPT:

The area north of Fisherman's Bay, from a line extending due west from 37° 42.26' N. lat. 123° 00.16' W. long., following clockwise around the island (including Fisherman's Bay), to a line extending due east from 37° 42.05' N. lat. 123° 00.07' W. long.

At East Landing, from a line extending due east from 37° 41.83' N. lat. 122° 59.98' W. long., following clockwise around the island, to a straight line connecting the following two points:

37° 41.72' N. lat. 123° 00.05' W. long.; and
37° 41.68' N. lat. 123° 00.07' W. long.

This closure as defined in subsection 632(b)(33)(B) exists year round, except for the following areas, which are closed only from December 1 through September 14 of each year:

From Fisherman's Bay to East Landing, from a line extending due east from 37° 42.05' N. lat. 123° 00.07' W. long., following clockwise around the island to a line extending due east from 37° 41.83' N. lat. 122° 59.98' W. long.

The area southwest of East Landing, from a straight line connecting the following two points:

37° 41.72' N. lat. 123° 00.05' W. long.; and
37° 41.68' N. lat. 123° 00.07' W. long.

Following clockwise around the main island to a straight line extending due south from 37° 41.76' N. lat. 123° 00.16' W. long. to 37° 41.64' N. lat. 123° 00.16' W. long., and on the southeast side of Saddle (Seal) Rock, from a straight line extending due south from 37° 41.76' N. lat. 123° 00.16' W. long., following clockwise around Saddle (Seal) Rock, to a line extending due west from 37° 41.60' N. lat. 123° 00.26' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Special regulations on boating and access apply to the Southeast Farallon Island as follows:

  1. No person except department employees or employees of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or United States Coast Guard, in performing their official duties, or unless permission is granted by the department, shall enter the area defined in subsection 632(b)(32)(B).
  2. All vessels shall observe a five (5) nautical mile per hour speed limit 1,000 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of the Southeast Farallon Island.
  3. In an area bounded by the mean high tide line and a distance of one nautical mile seaward of the mean lower low tide line line of any of the islands and islets comprising the Southeast Farallon Island, the following restrictions apply:
    1. All commercial diving vessels operating in the defined area shall terminate their vessel engine exhaust system either through a muffler for dry exhaust systems, or below the vessel waterline for wet exhaust systems.
    2. All commercial diving vessels equipped with an open, deck-mounted air compressor system, while operating in the defined area, shall have the air compressor's engine exhaust system terminate below the vessel waterline.

Southeast Farallon Island State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

37° 42.60' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.;
37° 42.60' N. lat. 123° 05.46' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 38.66' N. lat. 122° 59.50' W. long;
37° 40.50' N. lat. 122° 59.50' W. long;
37° 40.50' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.; and
37° 42.60' N. lat. 123° 02.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited EXCEPT: the recreational take of salmon by trolling and the commercial take of salmon with troll fishing gear

Take, Finfish, Pelagic Finfish, and Coastal Pelagic Species Defined

Take (Section 86, Fish and Game Code and Title 14 Section 650) means pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to pursue, catch, capture, or kill.

Finfish (Title 14 Section 632(2)), as defined for purposes of MPA regulations, are any species of bony fish or cartilaginous fish (sharks, skates and rays). Finfish do not include amphibians, invertebrates, plants or algae.

Pelagic finfish (Title 14 Section 632(3)), as defined for purposes of MPA regulations, are a subset of finfish defined as: northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), barracudas (Sphyraena spp.), billfishes* (family Istiophoridae), dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), blue shark (Prionace glauca), salmon shark (Lamna ditropis), shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), thresher sharks (Alopias spp.), swordfish (Xiphias gladius), tunas (family Scombridae), and yellowtail (Seriola lalandi). *Marlin is not allowed for commercial take.

Coastal pelagic species (Title 14 Section 1.39), as defined for purposes of MPA regulations, include the following: northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus) and market squid (Loligo opalescens).

General Rules that Apply to All MPAs

Marine protected areas are subject to the following general rules and regulations in addition to existing Fish and Game Code statutes and regulations of the Commission, unless otherwise specified in individual MPA regulations.

Access (Title 14 Section 632(4))

Access into marine protected areas or marine managed areas for non-consumptive uses including but not limited to swimming, surfing, diving, boating, hiking and walking is allowed unless otherwise specified in individual MPA regulations.

Introduction of Species (Title 14 Section 632(5))

Unless authorized by the commission or as a result of authorized fishing activities, the release of any fish or wildlife species, including domestic or domesticated species, or the introduction of any plant species, is prohibited. The department may reintroduce endemic species to marine protected areas or marine managed areas for management purposes.

Feeding of Fish and Wildlife (Title 14 Section 632(6))

The feeding of fish and wildlife is prohibited except permitted scientific collection pursuant to Section 650 or as a result of authorized fishing within state marine conservation areas, state marine parks, and state marine recreational management areas, or unless feeding of fish is specifically authorized in subsection 632(b) for purposes of marine life viewing.

Anchoring (Title 14 Section 632(7))

Vessels shall be allowed to anchor in any marine protected area or marine managed area with catch onboard unless otherwise specified in individual MPA regulations, areas and special regulations for use. Fishing gear shall not be deployed in the water while anchored in a state marine reserve. Fishing gear, except legal fishing gear used to take species identified as allowed for take in subsection 632(b), shall not be deployed in the water while anchored in a state marine recreational management area, state marine park or state marine conservation area. Anchoring regulations shall be consistent with federal law and allowances made for anchoring required by emergency or severe weather.

Transit or Drifting (Title 14 Section 632(8))

Vessels shall be allowed to transit through marine protected areas and marine managed areas with catch onboard. Fishing gear shall not be deployed in the water while transiting through a state marine reserve. Fishing gear, except legal fishing gear used to take species identified as allowed for take in subsection 632(b), shall not be deployed in the water while transiting through a state marine recreational management area, state marine park or state marine conservation area.

Water Quality Monitoring (Title 14 Section 632(9))

Sampling of water, sediment and marine life, for water quality monitoring or pollution research, or as required in a Monitoring and Reporting Program of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements issued by the State or Regional Water Boards pursuant to the United States Clean Water Act and the California Water Code, is allowed within state marine reserves, state marine conservation areas, state marine parks, and state marine recreational management areas pursuant to a valid scientific collecting permit issued by the department.

Public Safety (Title 14 Section 632(10))

Public safety activities, including installation, maintenance and/or seasonal placement and removal of safety-related artificial structures, including but not limited to lifeguard towers, are allowed within any MPA classification pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.