Existing Marine Protected Areas in California: Regulations
The areas listed below are marine protected areas that currently exist in California State waters. This list includes the Central Coast Marine Protected Areas, which went into effect on September 21, 2007.
Note: Other state and federal regulations and restrictions on fishing may apply. The following descriptions only provide information on restrictions from State of California MPAs in the areas described.
Note: Within each county these areas are arranged in order of most restrictive to least restrictive. Some marine protected areas have overlapping boundaries and are noted below. When regulations differ between overlapping areas, the more restrictive regulations apply. In certain areas the type of gear used and locations where fishing may occur are also restricted, this table provides only a summary of the species restrictions in each area. Two Special Closures are included in this table. While technically they do not meet the definition of a marine protected area, their restrictions are significantly different than surrounding areas and are included for ease of identification by the public. For more information please contact your local Department office.
COUNTY / SITE NAME
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Humboldt County
Punta Gorda State Marine Reserve
All
None
Mendocino County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
MacKerricher
State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1
Red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1; Finfish
Point Cabrillo State Marine Conservation Area
All
None
Russian Gulch State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1
Red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1; Finfish
Van Damme State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Manchester and Arena Rock State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, and marine worms1
Red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, and marine worms1; Finfish
Sonoma County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Del Mar Landing State Marine Park
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish by hook and line or spear
Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Gerstle Cove SMCA)
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1
Red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1; Finfish
Gerstle Cove State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Salt Point SMCA)
All
None
Fort Ross State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1
Red abalone, chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1; Finfish
Sonoma Coast State Marine Conservation Area
(overlaps Bodega SMR)
Same as above
Same as above
Bodega State Marine Reserve (overlaps Sonoma Coast SMCA)
All
None
Napa County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Fagan Marsh State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants
Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line
Marin County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Tomales Bay State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants
Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line
Point Reyes Headlands State Marine Conservation Area
All
None
Estero de Limantour State Marine Conservation Area (estuarine)
All
None
Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT red abalone, Dungeness crab and rock crabs; All finfish EXCEPT rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), lingcod, cabezon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), halibut, flounder, sole, turbot, salmon, kelp greenling, striped bass, steelhead, monkeyface eel, wolf eel, smelt and silversides
Red abalone, Dungeness crab, rock crabs; Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), lingcod, cabezon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), halibut, flounder, sole, turbot, salmon, kelp greenling, striped bass, steelhead, monkeyface eel, wolf eel, smelt and silversides
Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants
Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line from shore only
Marin Islands State Marine Park (estuarine)
Same as above
Same as above
San Francisco County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Farallon Islands State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants;
Area closure: March 15 - August 15
Invertebrates; Finfish (outside area closures)
Solano County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Peytonia Slough State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants
Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line
Alameda County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Albany Mudflats State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants
Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line from shore only
Robert W. Crown State Marine Conservation Area (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants;
All invertebrates
Finfish by hook and line only
San Mateo County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Redwood Shores State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants
Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line
Bair Island State Marine Park (estuarine)
Kelp
Marine aquatic plants EXCEPT kelp; Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line from shore only
James V. Fitzgerald State Marine Park
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), lingcod, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), monkeyface eel, rock eel, white croaker, halibut, cabezon, kelp greenling, and smelt (Families Osmeridae and Atherinidae)
Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), lingcod, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), monkeyface eel, rock eel, white croaker, halibut, cabezon, kelp greenling, and smelt (Families Osmeridae and Atherinidae) by hook and line or spear
Año Nuevo State Marine Conservation Area
All
None
Santa Cruz County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants EXCEPT giant kelp by hand harvest only;
All invertebrates EXCEPT squid; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and, by hook-and-line from shore only, other finfish
Giant kelp by hand harvest only; Squid; Salmon, other finfish by hook and line from shore only
Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve
All
None
Monterey County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Elkhorn Slough State Marine Reserve
All
None
Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT clams taken on the north shore of the slough in the area adjacent to the Moss Landing State Wildlife Area.
Clams taken on the north shore of the slough in the area adjacent to the Moss Landing State Wildlife Area; Finfish by hook and line
Moro Cojo Estuary State Marine Reserve
All
None
Soquel Canyon State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT pelagic finfish3
Pelagic finfish3
Portuguese Ledge State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish by hook and line only
Lovers Point State Marine Reserve
All
None
Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants, all invertebrates
Finfish
Asilomar State Marine Reserve
All
None
Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve
All
None
Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish
Point Lobos State Marine Reserve
All
None
Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon, albacore
Point Sur State Marine Reserve
All
None
Point Sur State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon, albacore
Big Creek State Marine Reserve
All
None
Big Creek State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon, albacore
San Luis Obispo County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve
All
None
Piedras Blancas
State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon, albacore
White Rock (Cambria) State Marine Conservation Area
All
None
Cambria State Marine Conservation Area
None
All
Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area
South of latitude 35°19.70' N : All
North of latitude 35°19.70' N: Finfish. Finfish taken outside the Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area may be stored in a receiver for bait purposes
Morro Bay State Marine Reserve
All
None
Point Buchon State Marine Reserve
All
None
Point Buchon State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon and albacore
Santa Barbara County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Vandenberg State Marine Reserve
All
None
Refugio State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1
Chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1; Finfish
Goleta Slough State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants
Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line in designated areas
Richardson Rock State Marine Reserve2 (San Miguel Island)
All
None
Harris Point State Marine Reserve2 (San Miguel Island)
All
None
Judith Rock State Marine Reserve2 (San Miguel Island)
All
None
Special Closure: San Miguel Island
Boating prohibited within 300 yards from shore between Castle Rock and Judith Rock except as noted
Boats may approach no nearer than 100 yards from shore during the period(s) from Mar. 15-April 30, and Oct. 1-December 15
Carrington Point State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Rosa Island)
All
None
Skunk Point State Marine Reserve (Santa Rosa Island)
All
None
South Point State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Rosa Island)
All
None
Painted Cave State Marine Conservation Area2 (Santa Cruz Island)
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT lobster All finfish EXCEPT pelagic finish3
Lobster; Pelagic finfish3
Gull Island State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Cruz Island)
All
None
Scorpion State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Cruz Island)
All
None
Santa Barbara Island State Marine Reserve2
All
None
Ventura County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Anacapa Island
State Marine Conservation Area2
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT lobster; All finfish EXCEPT pelagic finfish3
Lobster; Pelagic finfish3
Anacapa Island State Marine Reserve2
All
None
Footprint (Anacapa Channel) State Marine Reserve
All
None
Special Closure: Anacapa Island Pelican Fledgling Area
No entry Jan. 1-Oct. 31
Entry allowed Nov. 1-Dec. 31
Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve
All
None
Los Angeles County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Abalone Cove State Marine Park
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish by hook and line or spear
Point Fermin State Marine Park
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT lobster; All fishes EXCEPT rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab
Lobster; Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab by hook and line or by spear fishing gear
Special Closure: Arrow Pt. to Lions Head Pt. (Catalina Island) Invertebrate Area
All invertebrates
Marine aquatic plants;
Finfish
Catalina Marine Science Center State Marine Reserve (Catalina Island)
All
None
Farnsworth Bank State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)
Purple coral
All marine aquatic plants; Invertebrates EXCEPT purple coral; Finfish
Lovers Cove State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)
All
None
Orange County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Bolsa Chica State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants
Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line in designated areas
Upper Newport Bay State Marine Park (estuarine)
Kelp
Marine aquatic plants EXCEPT kelp; Invertebrates; Finfish by hook and line
Robert E. Badham State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants All invertebrates EXCEPT lobster All fishes EXCEPT rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab
Lobster; Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab by hook and line or by spearfishing gear only
Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Irvine Coast SMCA)
All marine aquatic plants All invertebrates EXCEPT chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1
Chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1; Finfish
Irvine Coast State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Crystal Cove SMCA)
All marine aquatic plants All invertebrates EXCEPT lobster All fishes EXCEPT rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab
Lobster; Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab by hook and line or by spearfishing gear
Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Heisler Park SMR)
Same as above
Same as above
Heisler Park State Marine Reserve (overlaps Laguna Beach SMP)
All
None
South Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT lobster; All fishes EXCEPT rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab
Lobster; Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab by hook and line or by spearfishing gear
Niguel State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All species between the mean high tide and mean lower-low water lines (intertidal zone); All invertebrates outside the intertidal zone EXCEPT lobster; All finfish outside the intertidal zone EXCEPT rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab
None between the mean high tide and mean lower-low water lines (intertidal zone); Lobster outside the intertidal zone; Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot, and sanddab outside the intertidal zone by hook and line or by spearfishing gear
Doheny State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Doheny Beach SMCA)
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1
Chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1; Finfish
Doheny Beach State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Doheny SMCA)
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT lobster; All fishes EXCEPT rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab
Lobster; Rockfish (family Scorpaenidae), greenling, lingcod, cabezon, yellowtail, mackerel, bluefin tuna, kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, sargo, croaker, queenfish, California corbina, white seabass, opaleye, halfmoon, surfperch (family Embiotocidae), blacksmith, Pacific barracuda, California sheephead, Pacific bonito, California halibut, sole, turbot and sanddab by hook and line or by spearfishing gear
San Diego County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Recreational Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Recreational Take
Buena Vista Lagoon State Marine Park (estuarine)
Kelp
Marine aquatic plants EXCEPT kelp; Invertebrates in designated times and in designated areas; Finfish by hook and line during designated times and in designated areas
Agua Hedionda Lagoon State Marine Reserve (estuarine)
All
None
Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish by hook and line from shore
Encinitas State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish
Cardiff-San Elijo State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1
Chiones, clams, cockles, rock scallops, native oysters, crabs, lobster, ghost shrimp, sea urchins, mussels, and marine worms1; Finfish
San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish by hook and line from shore
San Dieguito Lagoon State Marine Park (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish by hook and line from shore and the Grand Avenue Bridge
San Diego-Scripps State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish
La Jolla State Marine Conservation Area
All
None
Mia J. Tegner State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish
1 No worms may be taken in any mussel bed unless taken incidentally to the take of mussels.
2 The Channel Islands MPAs were already adopted using the Marine Managed Areas Improvement Act naming classifications.
3Pelagic finfish, for the purpose of this section, are 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.
Note: Within each county these areas are arranged in order of most restrictive to least restrictive. Some marine protected areas have overlapping boundaries and are noted below. When regulations differ between overlapping areas, the more restrictive regulations apply. In certain areas the type of gear used and locations where fishing may occur are also restricted, this table provides only a summary of the species restrictions in each area. Special Closures are included in this table. While technically they do not meet the definition of a marine protected area, their restrictions are significantly different than surrounding areas and are included for ease of identification by the public. For more information please contact your local Department office.
COUNTY / SITE NAME
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Humboldt County
Punta Gorda State Marine Reserve
All
None
Mendocino County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
MacKerricher State Marine Conservation Area
Giant kelp and bull kelp; All invertebrates EXCEPT crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, squid, and worms1
Algae (except giant kelp and bull kelp); Crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, squid, and worms1; Finfish
Point Cabrillo State Marine Conservation Area
All invertebrates
Marine aquatic plants; Finfish
Russian Gulch State Marine Conservation Area
Giant kelp and bull kelp; All invertebrates EXCEPT crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, and worms1
Algae(except giant kelp and bull kelp); Crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, and worms1; Finfish
Van Damme State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Manchester and Arena Rock State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Sonoma County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Del Mar Landing State Marine Park
All
None
Gerstle Cove State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Salt Point SMCA)
Giant kelp and bull kelp; All Invertebrates
Algae(except giant kelp and bull kelp); Finfish
Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Gerstle Cove SMCA)
Giant kelp and bull kelp; All invertebrates EXCEPT crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, and worms1
Algae(except giant kelp and bull kelp); Crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, and worms1; Finfish
Fort Ross State Marine Conservation Area
Giant kelp and bull kelp
Algae(except giant kelp and bull kelp); Invertebrates; Finfish
Sonoma Coast State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Bodega SMR)
Same as above
Same as above
Bodega State Marine Reserve (overlaps Sonoma Coast SMCA)
All
None
Napa County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Fagan Marsh State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Marin County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Tomales Bay State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Marin Islands State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Point Reyes Headlands State Marine Conservation Area
Giant kelp and bull kelp; All invertebrates
Algae (except giant kelp and bull kelp); Finfish
Estero de Limantour State Marine Conservation Area (estuarine)
Same as above
Same as above
Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area
Giant kelp and bull kelp
Algae (except giant kelp and bull kelp); Invertebrates; Finfish
San Francisco County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Farallon Islands State Marine Conservation Area
Area Closures March 15 - August 15
All (outside area closures)
Solano County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Peytonia Slough State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Alameda County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Albany Mudflats State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Robert W. Crown State Marine Conservation Area (estuarine)
All marine aquatic plants EXCEPT kelp; All invertebrates
Kelp; Finfish
San Mateo County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Redwood Shores State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Bair Island State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
James V. Fitzgerald State Marine Park
All
None
Santa Cruz County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve
All
None
Año Nuevo State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants EXCEPT giant kelp taken by hand harvest only; All invertebrates; Finfish,
Giant kelp taken by hand harvest only
Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants EXCEPT giant kelp by hand harvest only; All invertebrates EXCEPT squid; Finfish EXCEPT salmon,
Giant kelp by hand harvest only; Squid (with condition); Salmon
Monterey County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Elkhorn Slough State Marine Reserve
All
None
Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation Area
All
None
Moro Cojo Estuary State Marine Reserve
All
None
Lovers Point State Marine Reserve
All
None
Asilomar State Marine Reserve
All
None
Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve
All
None
Point Lobos State Marine Reserve
All
None
Point Sur State Marine Reserve
All
None
Big Creek State Marine Reserve
All
None
Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants EXCEPT giant kelp and bull kelp by hand harvest only; All invertebrates; All finfish
Giant kelp and bull kelp by hand harvest only (conditions apply)
Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Soquel Canyon State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT pelagic finfish.
Pelagic finfish
Portuguese Ledge State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Point Sur State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon and albacore
Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT spot prawn; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Spot prawn; Salmon, albacore
Big Creek State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
San Luis Obispo County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve
All
None
Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon and albacore
Cambria State Marine Conservation Area
All
None
Morro Bay State Marine Reserve
All
None
Cambria (White Rock) State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants EXCEPT giant kelp and bull kelp (conditions apply); All invertebrates; All finfish
Giant kelp and bull kelp (conditions apply)
Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT aquacultured oysters; Finfish (commercial finfish taken outside of Morro Bay SMRMA and stored in a receiver for bait purposes may be possessed)
Aquaculture of oysters with valid permit; Finfish taken outside of Morro Bay SMRMA and stored in a receiver for bait purposes may be possessed
Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon and albacore
Point Buchon State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates; All finfish EXCEPT salmon and albacore
Salmon and albacore
Point Buchon State Marine Reserve
All
None
Santa Barbara County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Vandenberg State Marine Reserve
All
None
Richardson Rock State Marine Reserve2 (San Miguel Island)
All
None
Special Closure: San Miguel Island
Boating prohibited within 300 yards from shore between Castle Rock and Judith Rock except as noted
Boats may approach no nearer than 100 yards from shore during the period(s) from March 15 through April 30, and October 1 through December 15. Commercial Sea Urchin Permittees may enter the portion of the closed area between the western boundary of the Judith Rock SMR and Castle Rock for the purpose of taking urchins.
Judith Rock State Marine Reserve2 (San Miguel Island)
All
None
Harris Point State Marine Reserve2 (San Miguel Island)
All
None
South Point State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Rosa Island)
All
None
Carrington Point State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Rosa Island)
All
None
Skunk Point State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Rosa Island)
All
None
Gull Island State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Cruz Island)
All
None
Scorpion State Marine Reserve2 (Santa Cruz Island)
All
None
Santa Barbara Island State Marine Reserve2
All
None
Painted Cave State Marine Conservation Area2
(Santa Cruz Island)
All
None
Goleta Slough State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Refugio State Marine Conservation Area
Giant and bull kelp; All invertebrates EXCEPT crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, and worms1
Algae(except giant kelp and bull kelp); Crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, and worms1; Finfish
Ventura County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Anacapa State Marine Reserve2
All
None
Footprint (Anacapa Channel) State Marine Reserve
All
None
Special Closure: Anacapa Pelican Fledgling Area
No entry January 1 to October 31. No nets or traps shallower than 20 feet around entire island.
Entry allowed November 1 to December 31
Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve
All
None
Anacapa State Marine Conservation Area2
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT spiny lobster; All finfish
Spiny lobster
Los Angeles County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Catalina Marine Science Center State Marine Reserve (Catalina Island)
All
None
Abalone Cove State Marine Park
All
None
Point Fermin State Marine Park
All
None
Lovers Cove State Marine Conservation Area
(Catalina Island)
All marine aquatic plants EXCEPT kelp; All invertebrates
Kelp; Finfish
Farnsworth Bank State Marine Conservation Area (Catalina Island)
Special Closure: Arrow Pt. to Lions Head Pt.
(Catalina Island) Invertebrate Area
None - Note other species and gear restrictions apply
All - Note other species and gear restrictions apply
Orange County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Heisler Park State Marine Reserve (overlaps Laguna Beach SMP)
All
None
Bolsa Chica State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Upper Newport Bay State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates EXCEPT spiny lobster; All finfish
Spiny lobster
Robert E. Badham State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Irvine Coast State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Crystal Cove SMCA)
Same as above
Same as above
Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Heisler Park SMR)
Same as above
Same as above
South Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Niguel State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Doheny Beach State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Doheny SMCA)
Same as above
Same as above
Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Irvine Coast SMP)
Giant kelp and bull kelp; All invertebrates EXCEPT crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, and worms1
Algae (except giant kelp and bull kelp); Crabs, ghost shrimp, jackknife clams, sea urchins, and worms1; Finfish
Doheny State Marine Conservation Area (overlaps Doheny Beach SMCA)
None
All
San Diego County
SPECIES PROHIBITED For Commercial Take
SPECIES ALLOWED For Commercial Take
Agua Hedionda Lagoon State Marine Reserve (estuarine)
All
None
Buena Vista Lagoon State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
San Dieguito Lagoon State Marine Park (estuarine)
All
None
La Jolla State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants;
All invertebrates EXCEPT squid with restrictions; All finfish
Squid for the purpose of bait by hand-held net west of a line drawn due north from Goldfish pt.
Encinitas State Marine Conservation Area
All marine aquatic plants; All invertebrates
Finfish
San Diego-Scripps State Marine Conservation Area
Same as above
Same as above
Mia J. Tegner State Marine Conservation Area
All invertebrates
Marine aquatic plants; Finfish
Cardiff and San Elijo State Marine Conservation Area
None
All
1 No worms may be taken in any mussel bed, nor may any person pick up, remove, detach from the substrate any other organisms, or break up, move or destroy any rocks or other substrate or surfaces to which organisms are attached.
2 The Channel Islands MPAs were already adopted using the Marine Managed Areas Improvement Act naming classifications.