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San Francisco Bay 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.

 

The San Francisco Bay Study Region (waters within San Francisco Bay, from the Golden Gate Bridge northeast to the Carquinez Bridge) is the fifth and final study region for consideration under the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA).

A message from Secretary for Resources John Laird and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham (April 2012)

We appreciate receiving San Francisco Bay Options Report: Considering MPA Planning prepared by the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. The report identifies a range of options for how to approach marine protected area planning in San Francisco Bay.

As noted in the report's response to science questions, protecting San Francisco Bay’s ecosystem is intricately connected to the marshes of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. As such, any successful planning for and implementation of marine protected areas in San Francisco Bay must complement the historic effort to meet co-equal goals of ecosystem restoration and water supply reliability in the delta.

We look forward to continuing to work with all local, state and federal agencies dedicated to ensuring successful marine planning and protection for San Francisco Bay subsequent to completing planning efforts in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Current San Francisco Bay MPAs: 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 files, providing greater detail and clarity.

Fagan Marsh State Marine Park

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the Fagan Marsh Ecological Reserve. See map for specific location.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational hook and line take of species other than marine aquatic plants. Only lightweight, hand-carried boats may be launched or operated within the park.

Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve. See map for specific location.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational hook and line take of species other than marine aquatic plants from shore only. Only lightweight, hand-carried boats may be launched or operated within the park. Swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the park.

Marin Islands State Marine Park

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the Marin Islands Ecological Reserve. See map for specific location.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational hook and line take of species other than marine aquatic plants from shore only. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the park.

Peytonia Slough State Marine Park

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the Peytonia Slough Ecological Reserve. See map for specific location.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational hook and line take of species other than marine aquatic plants. Only lightweight, hand-carried boats may be launched or operated within the park.

Albany Mudflats State Marine Park

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the Albany Mudflats Ecological Reserve. See map for specific location.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational hook and line take of species other than marine aquatic plants from shore only. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the park.

Robert W. Crown State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and a distance of 150 feet offshore between the following points:

37° 45.97' N. lat. 122° 16.84' W. long.; and
37° 45.95' N. lat. 122° 16.52' W. long.

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

  1. Finfish may be taken recreationally by hook and line only.
  2. Finfish and kelp may be taken commercially.

Redwood Shores State Marine Park

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the Redwood Shores Ecological Reserve. See map for specific location.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational hook and line take of species other than marine aquatic plants. Only lightweight, hand-carried boats may be launched or operated within the park.

Bair Island State Marine Park

JPG Map | PDF Map

Boundary: This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the Bair Island Ecological Reserve. See map for specific location.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational hook and line take of species other than kelp from shore only.

Additional Regulations:

Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the park.

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, shall enter this park during the period February 15 through May 20.

Waterfowl may be taken in accordance with the general waterfowl regulations (Sections 502, 550, 551, and 552).