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Contact Information

Marine Life Protection
Act Initiative
c/o California Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 654-1885
E-mail

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.

The following abbreviations are used on this page:
    - State Marine Reserve - SMR
    - State Marine Park - SMP
    - State Marine Conservation Area - SMCA

Recreational Regulations | Commercial Regulations

Recreational Regulations

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.

Commercial Regulations

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)	Purple coral	Marine aquatic plants; Invertebrates (except purple coral); Finfish
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.