MLPA Summary

Legislation requires that the Department of Fish and Game develop a plan for establishing networks of marine protected areas in California waters to protect habitats and preserve ecosystem integrity, among other things. The following information provides a brief overview of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA).

The MLPA can be found in Chapter 10.5 of the California Fish and Game Code, Sections 2850 to 2863. The purpose of the MLPA is to improve the array of marine protected areas (MPAs) existing in California waters through the adoption of a Marine Life Protection Program and a comprehensive master plan.

The MLPA states that "marine life reserves" (defined as no-take areas) are essential elements of an MPA system because they "protect habitat and ecosystems, conserve biological diversity, provide a sanctuary for fish and other sea life, enhance recreational and educational opportunities, provide a reference point against which scientists can measure changes elsewhere in the marine environment, and may help rebuild depleted fisheries" (Section 2851(f)).

The master plan is required to include recommendations for a preferred alternative network of MPAs with "an improved marine life reserve component" (Section 2853(c)(1)). The MLPA further states that "it is necessary to modify the existing collection of MPAs to ensure that they are designed and managed according to clear, conservation-based goals and guidelines that take full advantage of the multiple benefits that can be derived from the establishment of marine life reserves" (Section 2851(h)).

Section 2851 refers to the lack of a clearly defined purpose and scientific guidelines when existing MPAs were established. Six goals for the MLPA are established in Section 2853(b):

1. To protect the natural diversity and abundance of marine life, and the structure, function, and integrity of marine ecosystems.
   
   
2. To help sustain, conserve, and protect marine life populations, including those of economic value, and rebuild those that are depleted.
   
   
3. To improve recreational, educational, and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems that are subject to minimal human disturbance, and to manage these uses in a manner consistent with protecting biodiversity.
   
   
4. To protect marine natural heritage, including protection of representative and unique marine life habitats in California waters for their intrinsic value.
   
   
5. To ensure that California's MPAs have clearly defined objectives, effective management measures, and adequate enforcement, and are based on sound scientific guidelines.
   
   
6. To ensure that the state's MPAs are designed and managed, to the extent possible, as a network.