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Central Coast Marine Protected Areas

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California's Central Coast Marine Protected Areas went into effect September 21, 2007. From Pigeon Point (San Mateo County) south to Point Conception (Santa Barbara County), the series of 29 marine protected areas represent approximately 204 square miles (or approximately 18 percent) of state waters in the Central Coast Study Region.

Central Coast MPAs (the first of five study regions along the coast) includes:

  • 15 State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCA), which limits recreational and commercial fishing.
  • 13 "no-take" State Marine Reserves (SMR); a total of 85-square miles and;
  • One State Marine Recreational Managed Area (SMRMA); Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area, where recreational fishing is limited or restricted.

This new network effectively launches the Marine Life Protection Act Program, which was designed to better conserve marine resources for their long-term sustainable use while also enhancing outdoor recreation and ocean research opportunities along the coast.

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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).

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

Maps are presented for each MPA listed below. JPG charts and images are low-resolution files that can be quickly viewed on most computers. PDF charts and images are higher-resolution files, providing greater detail and clarity.

Año Nuevo State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and a distance of 200 feet seaward of mean lower low water between the following two points:

37° 10.00' N. lat. 122° 21.80' W. long.; and
37° 08.70' N. lat. 122° 21.00' W. long.

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

37° 08.70' N. lat. 122° 21.00' W. long.;
37° 04.70' N. lat. 122° 21.00' W. long.; and
37° 04.70' N. lat. 122° 16.20' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial take of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) by hand harvest only.

Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area

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

37° 04.70' N. lat. 122° 16.20' W. long.;
37° 04.70' N. lat. 122° 21.00' W. long.;
37° 03.55' N. lat. 122° 21.00' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 02.57' N. lat. 122° 19.10' W. long.; and
37° 02.57' N. lat. 122° 14.00' W. long.

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

  • Only the following species may be taken recreationally: giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) by hand harvest only, squid, salmon, and, by hook-and-line from shore only, other finfish.
  • Only the following species may be taken commercially: giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) by hand harvest only, salmon, and squid except that not more than five percent (5%) by landed weight of any commercial squid catch may be other species taken incidentally to squid.

Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and a distance of 200 feet seaward of mean lower low water between the following two points:

36° 57.90' N. lat. 122° 07.65' W. long.; and
36° 57.00' N. lat. 122° 03.50' W. long.

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

Elkhorn Slough State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: This area includes the waters below mean high tide within Elkhorn Slough lying east of longitude 121° 46.40' W. and south of latitude 36° 50.50' N.

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

Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area includes the waters below mean high tide within Elkhorn Slough east of the Highway 1 Bridge and west of longitude 121° 46.40' W.

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

  • Only the following species may be taken recreationally: finfish by hook-and-line only and clams. Clams may only be taken on the north shore of the slough in the area adjacent to the Moss Landing State Wildlife Area [subsection 550(a)].

Moro Cojo Slough State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: This area includes the waters within Moro Cojo Slough below mean high tide and east of the Highway 1 Bridge and west of the crossing of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks.

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

Soquel Canyon State Marine Conservation Area

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

36° 51.00' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.;
36° 51.00' N. lat. 122° 03.80' W. long.;
36° 48.00' N. lat. 122° 02.88' W. long.;
36° 48.00' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.; and
36° 51.00' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of pelagic finfish.

Portuguese Ledge State Marine Conservation Area

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

36° 43.00' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.;
36° 43.00' N. lat. 122° 01.30' W. long.;
36° 41.00' N. lat. 122° 00.80' W. long.;
36° 41.00' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.; and
36° 43.00' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of pelagic finfish.

Edward F. Ricketts 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:

36° 36.50' N. lat. 121° 53.37' W. long.;
36° 37.25' N. lat. 121° 53.78' W. long.; and
36° 37.10' N. lat. 121° 54.09' W. long.

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

  • The recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line is allowed.
  • The commercial take of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis spp.) is allowed by hand in the area defined by subsection 165(c)(4)(D) under the following conditions:
    • Any individual kelp harvester with a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 165 may take no more than 12 tons of kelp from the portion of Administrative Kelp Bed 220 within the Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area in any calendar month.
    • Duplicate landing records must be kept on board the harvest vessel in accordance with the requirements of Section 165.

Lovers 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:

36° 37.10' N. lat. 121° 54.09' W. long.;
36° 37.25' N. lat. 121° 53.78' W. long.;
36° 37.38' N. lat. 121° 53.85' W. long.;
36° 37.60' N. lat. 121° 54.75' W. long.; and
36° 37.60' N. lat. 121° 54.91' W. long.

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

Pacific Grove Marine Gardens 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:

36° 37.60' N. lat. 121° 54.91' W. long.;
36° 37.60' N. lat. 121° 54.75' W. long.;
36° 38.70' N. lat. 121° 55.40' W. long.;
36° 38.90' N. lat. 121° 56.60' W. long.; and
36° 38.22' N. lat. 121° 56.15' W. long.

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

  • The recreational take of finfish is allowed.
  • The commercial take of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis spp.) by hand is allowed under the following conditions:
    • Any individual kelp harvester with a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 165 may take no more than 44 tons of kelp from the portion of Administrative Kelp Bed 220 within the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area in any calendar month.
    • Duplicate landing records must be kept on board the harvest vessel in accordance with the requirements of Section 165.

Asilomar 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:

36° 38.22' N. lat. 121° 56.15' W. long.;
36° 38.90' N. lat. 121° 56.60' W. long.; and
36° 36.60' N. lat. 121° 57.50' W. long.

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

Carmel Pinnacles 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:

36° 33.65' N. lat. 121° 57.60' W. long.;
36° 33.65' N. lat. 121° 58.50' W. long.;
36° 33.10' N. lat. 121° 58.50' W. long.;
36° 33.10' N. lat. 121° 57.60' W. long.; and
36° 33.65' N. lat. 121° 57.60' W. long.

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

Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Chart | JPG Map | PDF Chart | PDF Map

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

36° 33.65' N. lat. 121° 57.10' W. long.;
36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 56.30' W. long.; and
36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 55.55' W. long.

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

  • The recreational take of finfish is allowed.
  • The commercial take of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis spp.) by hand is allowed under the following conditions:
    • Any individual kelp harvester with a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 165 may take no more than 44 tons of kelp from the portion of Administrative Kelp Bed 219 within the Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area in any calendar month.
    • Duplicate landing records must be kept on board the harvest vessel in accordance with the requirements of Section 165.

Point Lobos 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:

36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 55.55' W. long.;
36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.;
36° 28.88' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.; and
36° 28.88' N. lat. 121° 56.30' W. long.

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

Additional Restrictions: Within the portion of the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve which also falls within the boundary of the Point Lobos State Reserve (State Park Unit), restrictions on boating and diving activities exist. Contact the California Department of Parks and Recreation for current restrictions.

Point Lobos 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:

36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.;
36° 31.70' N. lat. 122° 01.30' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
36° 28.88' N. lat. 122° 00.55' W. long.;
36° 28.88' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.; and
36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational and commercial take of salmon, albacore, and the commercial take of spot prawn.

Point Sur 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:

36° 18.40' N. lat. 121° 54.10' W. long.;
36° 18.40' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.;
36° 15.00' N. lat. 121° 52.50' W. long.; and
36° 15.00' N. lat. 121° 50.25' W. long.

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

Point Sur State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Chart | JPG Map | PDF Chart | PDF Map

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:

36° 18.40' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.;
36° 18.40' N. lat. 121° 58.33' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
36° 15.00' N. lat. 121° 55.10' W. long.;
36° 15.00' N. lat. 121° 52.50' W. long.; and
36° 18.40' N. lat. 121° 56.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore.

Big Creek 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:

36° 07.20' N. lat. 121° 38.00' W. long.;
36° 07.20' N. lat. 121° 39.00' W. long.;
36° 05.20' N. lat. 121° 38.00' W. long.;
36° 05.20' N. lat. 121° 41.25' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
36° 02.65' N. lat. 121° 39.70' W. long.; and
36° 02.65' N. lat. 121° 35.13' W. long.

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

Anchoring: Except as pursuant to Federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, it is unlawful to anchor or moor a vessel in waters shallower than 10 fathoms in the Big Creek State Marine Reserve.

Big Creek State Marine Conservation Area

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Boundary: This area is bounded by the three nautical mile offshore boundary and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

36° 07.20' N. lat. 121° 39.00' W. long.;
36° 07.20' N. lat. 121° 42.90' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
36° 05.20' N. lat. 121° 41.25' W. long.;
36° 05.20' N. lat. 121° 38.00' W. long.; and
36° 07.20' N. lat. 121° 39.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of salmon, albacore, and the commercial take of spot prawn.

Piedras Blancas 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:

35° 42.85' N. lat. 121° 18.95' W. long.;
35° 42.85' N. lat. 121° 21.00' W. long.;
35° 39.15' N. lat. 121° 18.50' W. long.; and
35° 39.15' N. lat. 121° 14.45' W. long.

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

Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Chart | JPG Map | PDF Chart | PDF Map

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:

35° 42.85' N. lat. 121° 21.00' W. long.;
35° 42.85' N. lat. 121° 22.85' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
35° 39.15' N. lat. 121° 20.90' W. long.;
35° 39.15' N. lat. 121° 18.50' W. long.; and
35° 42.85' N. lat. 121° 21.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore.

Cambria 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:

35° 37.10' N. lat. 121° 09.20' W. long.;
35° 37.10' N. lat. 121° 10.70' W. long.;
35° 32.85' N. lat. 121° 06.70' W. long.; and
35° 32.85' N. lat. 121° 05.85' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: The commercial take of all living marine resources is prohibited. Recreational take is allowed.

White Rock (Cambria) 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:

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.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: 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:

  • Any individual kelp harvester with a valid permit 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.
  • Duplicate landing records must be kept on board the harvest vessel in accordance with the requirements of Section 165.

Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area

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Boundary: This area includes the area below mean high tide within Morro Bay east of the Morro Bay entrance breakwater and west of longitude 120° 50.34' W.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Recreational hunting of waterfowl is allowed unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations (sections 502, 550, 551, and 552). Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the following activities are allowed north of latitude 35° 19.70' N:

  • The recreational take of finfish
  • Aquaculture of oysters, pursuant to a valid State water bottom lease and permit
  • Storing finfish taken outside the Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area in a receiver for bait purposes.

Morro Bay State Marine Reserve

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Boundary: This area includes the area below mean high tide line within Morro Bay east of longitude 120° 50.34' W.

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

Point Buchon State Marine Reserve

JPG Chart | JPG Map | PDF Chart | PDF Map

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

35° 15.25' N. lat. 120° 54.00' W. long.;
35° 15.25' N. lat. 120° 56.00' W. long.;
35° 11.00' N. lat. 120° 52.40' W. long.; and
35° 13.30' N. lat. 120° 52.40' W. long.

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

Point Buchon State Marine Conservation Area

JPG Chart | JPG Map | PDF Chart | PDF Map

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

35° 15.25' N. lat. 120° 56.00' W. long.;
35° 15.25' N. lat. 120° 57.80' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
35° 11.00' N. lat. 120° 55.20' W. long.;
35° 11.00' N. lat. 120° 52.40' W. long.; and
35° 15.25' N. lat. 120° 56.00' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore.

Vandenberg 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:

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.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: 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.

Memorandum of Understanding: 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.

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

Take means pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to pursue, catch, capture, or kill.

Finfish, 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, 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, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.