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An Overview of San Luis Obispo �Marine Protected Areas�Your local on the water playground

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OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION

Welcome to San Luis Obispo County
Science of marine conservation
Deep dive into local marine protected areas
Species you may encounter
Guide to wildlife etiquette
Local engagement with your coast

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WELCOME TO SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

YOU ARE

HERE!

San Luis Obispo is one of CA’s oldest European founded communities

The county is home to 8 MPAs:

3 SMCAs = blue
3 SMRs = red
1 SMRMA = green
1 SMCA /SMP

Morro Bay Estuary - estuary of national significance

YOU ARE

HERE!

Monterey Bay

NMS

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CHUMASH�TRIBAL HISTORY

Originally inhabited lands from Paso Robles to Malibu
Chumash names: Lompoc, Cayucos, Pismo, Nipomo
Relied heavily on marine resources
Advanced canoe technology - tomol plank canoes

Fished deep-water fish (swordfish) to trade with interior tribes

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Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Historical Connection to Coastal areas of Central and Southern California including Refugio Beach, Goleta Beach and Santa Rosa Island

Traditional use of marine resources included gathering of finfish, invertebrates, mammal and sea plants as well as steelhead, abalone, mussels, clams and kelp

Actively engaged in MLPA/MPA process since 2007

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SALINAN TRIBE OF MONTEREY AND SAN LUIS OBISPO

Territory including southern Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties -10,000 years

Name comes from Salinas River

361 members today, efforts to revive language - Hokan
Able to legally ascend Morro Rock and light a fire in this sacred place
Harvested fish, clams, abalone, mussels, crabs and seaweed from ocean
Relied on seals and otters for furs, meat, and trade

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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY HISTORY

1797

First Spanish Mission Built

1864

Portuguese captain built Simeon whaling station

1911

Legal daily limit of Pismo clams 200

1990

Elephant Seals establish new colony at Piedras Blancas

1894

Southern Pacific rail extended to San Luis

The Bancroft Library

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LOCAL HISTORY

Key Icons

Hearst Castle
Mission San Luis
Morro Rock- “Gibraltar of the Pacific”

Last in row of a line of long extinct volcanoes called Nine Sisters.
576 feet and important navigational aid for vessels
Bird sanctuary with nesting peregrine falcons

Photos Courtesy of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Marine Historical Ecology Database.

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COASTAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

@Rene Rivers

Certain take allowed in:

Piedras Blancas SMCA
Cambria SMCA/SMP
White Rock SMCA
Morro Bay SMRMA
Point Buchon SMCA

Go surfing in local spots:

Piedras Blancas SMCA
Cambria SMCA/SMP
White Rocks SMCA
Point Buchon MPAs

Wildlife watching is popular in:

Piedras Blancas SMCA
White Rock SMCA
Morro Bay SMCA
Point Buchon SMCA& SMR

WILDLIFE WATCHING

FISHING

SURFING

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COASTAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

KAYAKING

TIDEPOOLING

DIVING

@Rene Rivers

Tidepool in:

Cambria SMCA/SMP
White Rock SMCA
Point Buchon MPAs

Go kayaking in:

Cambria SMCA/SMP
Morro Bay SMRMA and SMR

Diving is popular in:

White Rock SMCA
Point Buchon MPAs

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COASTAL ACCESS POINTS - SAN SIMEON TO CAMBRIA

San Carpoforo Creek Beach
Ragged Point Beach
Point Sierra Nevada Dunes Beach
Arroyo De La Cruz Beach
Arroyo Del Corral Beach
Point Piedras Blancas
Elephant Seal Rookery
Arroyo Laguna Beach
Hearst Memorial State Beach
Little Pico Creek Beach Access
San Simeon State Park
Leffingwell Landing
Moonstone Beach

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COASTAL ACCESS POINTS – CAMBRIA TO MORRO BAY

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Lampton Cliffs County Park
Harmony Headlands State Park
Estero Bluffs
Cayucos State Beach
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Rock Beach
Morro Bay State Park
Montaña de Oro State Park

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COASTAL ACCESS POINTS - MORRO BAY TO PISMO BEACH

Montaña de Oro State Park
Coon Creek Beach
Point Buchon Trails
Avila Beach
Shell Beach
South Palisades Park
Pismo State Beach
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve

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CAMPGROUNDS

San Simeon Creek
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Bay State Park
Montaña de Oro State Park
Islay Creek Campground
Port San Luis RV Campground
Avila Beach KOA
North Beach Campground
Oceana Campground

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LAUNCH RAMPS AND MARINAS

SLO COUNTY HARBORS, MARINAS & LAUNCH RAMPS

Harbors & Marinas:

Morro Bay Harbor
Bay Front Marina (Morro Bay)
Morro Bay State Park Marina
Port San Luis Harbor (Avila Beach)
Port Side Marine (Avila Beach)

San Simeon S.P. Leffingwell Landing (Cambria) * beach launch only for boats and kayaks
Morro Bay Public Launch Community
Olde Port Beach (Avila Beach)
Port San Luis Boat Launch Facility (Avila Beach)

Launch Ramps:

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SCIENCE OF MARINE CONSERVATION

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WHAT IS A MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA)?

©Jim Johnston

©California State Parks

©Chad King/NPAA

Marine Protected Areas (or MPA), are protected areas of the ocean created to ensure conservation and sustainability of marine resources for the future.

They are important to YOU, and here’s why:

Fish populations are in decline worldwide

MPAs increase biodiversity (more variety of marine life), including fish

Many MPAs protect critical breeding, nursery and feeding habitats for fish and other marine species

Ex.) Morro Bay SMR protects important eelgrass habitat, a nursery for many types of fish such as topsmelt and striped bass

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CALIFORNIA’S NETWORK OF MPAS

124 State MPAs, including 14 Special Closures

Protect 16% of California’s waters

9% no-take
84% of waters not designated as MPAs

Network completed in 2012

Managed by CDFW

Visit wildlife.ca.gov/MPAs

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A Variety of habitats

MPAS PROTECT A VARIETY OF HABITATS

SOFT-OCEAN BOTTOMS

SUBMARINE CANYONS

KELP FORESTS

INTERTIDAL

ESTUARIES

ROCKY REEFS

MPA network contains representative habitats found throughout coastal waters, including estuaries, intertidal zones, rocky reefs, kelp forests, soft-ocean bottoms and submarine canyons.

SANDY BEACHES

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STATE MARINE RESERVES

CAN Swim, dive, sail, surf, snorkel, kayak, tide pool, and explore!

CANNOT Take, harm, or pursue anything -living or nonliving- from these areas.

MULTI-USE AREA NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES

CAN Take most species recreationally & commercially with a license.

CAN Also swim, dive, sail, surf, snorkel, kayak, tide pool, and explore!

STATE MARINE

CONSERVATION AREAS

CAN Take certain species recreationally & commercially with a license.

CAN Also swim, dive, sail, surf, snorkel, kayak, tide pool, and explore!

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN YOUR MPA?

Many kinds of MPAs--- while National Sanctuaries don’t limit take, State MPAs may limit some or all fishing and collecting.

“Take” means to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, fish, mollusks, or crustaceans or attempting to do so.

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BIG OLD FERTILE FEMALE FISH (BOFFF)

Average numbers of young produced by three different sizes of vermillion rockfish.

Data: Love et al. (1990) NOAA Technical Report

Older, fatter females are much more important to reproduction than younger, smaller fish. This concept called BOFFF is key to why MPAs can and do work for replenishing our oceans.

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CALIFORNIA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREAS�(MPAs)

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SAN LUIS OBSIPO COUNTY STATE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

STATE MARINE RESERVES (SMR)

STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS (SMCA)

STATE MARINE RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT AREA (SMRMA)

STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREA/STATE MARINE PARK

Piedras Blancas SMR
Piedras Blancas SMCA
Cambria SMCA/SMP
White Rock SMCA
Morro Bay SMRMA
Morro Bay SMR
Point Buchon SMR
Point Buchon SMCA

“Take” means to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, fish, mollusks, or crustaceans or attempting to do so.

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There are 8 MPAs in San Luis Obispo County. Each of these MPA’s has specific regulations regarding which type of fish, shellfish, and natural resources specific to this area can be extracted.

3 of these are State Marine Reserves, which prohibit all take, shown in red.
3 of these are State Marine Conservation Areas, shown in blue, which offer certain take and typically occurring further off-shore. Note that Cambria SMCA is also a state marine park, which allows opportunities for education, research, and recreation, while preventing commercial extractive activities.
Morro Bay has one of the few SMRMAs in the state which are areas intended to protect certain recreational activities- in this case, waterfowl hunting.
Let’s define take: It means to hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill, fish, mollusks, or crustaceans or attempting to do so.

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SMR	Restrictions
Piedras Blancas, Morro Bay, and Point Buchon SMRs	Take of all living marine resources, including shells and rocks, is prohibited.
MPAs	Allowable Take
Piedras Blancas SMCA	Commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore is allowed.
White Rock SMCA	Commercial take of giant and bull kelp only is allowed.
Cambria SMCA/SMP	Recreational take is allowed.
Point Buchon SMCA	Commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore is allowed.
Morro Bay SMRMA	Waterfowl is hunting is allowed unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations. North of 35 19.70N recreational take of finfish and oyster aquaculture is allowed.

Here is a chart, divided by the type of permitted consumptive uses in the area.

The State Marine Reserves (SMRs) prohibit all take of marine resources including shells, and rocks. All the State Marine Reserves are listed at the top in red.
The State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs) each have different regulations. For instance, Piedras Blancas SMCA allows commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore. White Rock SMCA only allows commercial take of giant and bull kelp.
Cambria SMCA/SMP is protected for recreational fishing and take of all kinds is allowed.
Morro Bay SMRMA allows for waterfowl hunting and recreational take of finfish as well as commercial oyster aquaculture. Finfish are defined as any species of bony fish or cartilaginous fish (sharks, skates and rays). Finfish do not include amphibians, invertebrates, plants or algae.

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MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

Stretches from San Francisco to Cambria, protecting an area size of Connecticut!
Established in 1992
Primarily protects from oil drilling
"Serengeti of the Sea”

dense kelp forests, rocky shores, estuaries and one of North America's largest underwater canyons

“No drone zones” present from Pescadero Point to Santa Cruz, Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing, and from mouth of Carmel River south to Cambria

Monterey Bay

National Marine

Sanctuary

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PIEDRAS BLANCAS STATE MARINE RESERVE �& STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREA

Kelp forests give refuge to many marine species
New colony of northern elephant seals commandeered beaches in 1990s
Excellent views from the bluffs
Tour the Piedras Blancas Light Station for historical overview

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CAMBRIA STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREA/ STATE MARINE PARK

Established as protection from commercial fishing in interest of recreational fishing
Marine mammal viewing- grey & humpback whales in fall
Beachcombing at Moonstone Beach, named for quartz that looks like moonstones

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WHITE ROCK STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREA

Small - 2.2 square miles
Connected to land-based preserve
Stunning kelp forest
Commercial take of bull and giant kelp allowed - everything else protected
Seaweed foraging tours nearby outside MPA

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Two MPAs covering 3.3 sq. miles
Southern sea otters, endangered tidewater goby, and peregrine falcon
Part of Pacific Flyway

resting and foraging area for migratory birds

MORRO BAY STATE MARINE RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT AREA & STATE MARINE RESERVE

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POINT BUCHON STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREA �& STATE MARINE RESERVE

Remote rocky headlands, underwater canyons, sea stacks, pinnacles, rocky shores, kelp forest, & sandy shores
Point Buchon Trail: 6.6 mile trail accessed thru Montaña de Oro State Park
Popular surf spot

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MARINE SPECIES OF INTEREST

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LOCAL FISH SPECIES

LEOPARD SHARK

SWELL SHARK

LINGCOD

TIDEPOOL SCULPIN

KELP GREENLING

CDFW

CABEZON

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LOCAL ESTUARY SPECIES

LEOPARD SHARK

BAY GHOST SHRIMP

CDFW

GREATER YELLOWLEGS

NORTHERN PINTAIL

BAT RAY

THREE LINED AEOLID

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LOCAL GROUNDFISH SPECIES

VERMILLION ROCKFISH

BLUE ROCKFISH

COPPER ROCKFISH

BLACK AND YELLOW ROCKFISH

CDFW

GOPHER ROCKFISH

CHINA ROCKFISH

Over 90 species of rockfish can be found living on or near the bottom of the ocean here, making them part of the larger group of fish known as “groundfish”. These are some of the more commonly encountered rockfish of the san Luis Obispo area.

Rockfish eat a diversity of prey including pelagic shrimp and crab, anchovies, sardines, and other small rockfishes and squid.
Many rockfish can live hundreds of years and take a long time to reach sexual maturity, which is why places where they can grow older and reproduce is so important.
Rougheye rockfish are the longest known living fish on earth and can live over 200 years!
Bocaccio is one of the larger local rockfish, growing up to 3 feet, and lives to at least 45 years old. Its life cycle makes it particularly vulnerable to overfishing, since they don’t reach sexual maturity until 8-10 years old. As they age, they may only produce young once a decade. For these reasons, MPAs take time for protection benefits to accrue.

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LOCAL MARINE ALGAE SPECIES

BULL KELP

SEA GRAPES (RED ALGAE)

GIANT KELP

TURKISH TOWEL

FEATHER BOA

SEA PALM

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LOCAL INVERTEBRATE SPECIES

STRIPED SHORE CRAB

MOON SNAILS

MARKET SQUID

OPALESCENT NUDIBRANCH

PINK VOLCANO BARNACLE

CALIFORNIA MUSSELS

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LOCAL BIRD SPECIES

SNOWY PLOVER

SANDERLING

HEERMANN’S GULL

BLACK OYSTERCATCHER

WILLET

SURF SCOTER

San Luis Obispo’s shoreline can provide incredible birdwatching opportunities.

In the area, you can find sandy dunes, an important habitat and refuge for the Western snowy plover or “Snowies”. They make nests in the shallow nooks in the sand to protect its eggs and shelter them from predators. They feed on small crustaceans, soft invertebrates, and small insects.
Hermann’s gull is possibly the easiest to identify gull in North America. Their plumage is most brilliant during the courtship season, with the gulls displaying their pearly white head feathers, brilliant red bills, and stormy gray bodies. The juveniles have a distinct dark brown coloring, with little mottling. These gulls breed in Mexico's Gulf of California, then move north to the coast for late summer and fall. They feast on anchovies and sardines, and aggressively pursue other seabirds to steal their catches.
Commonly spotted black oystercatchers and surf scoters are named after their foraging techniques and favorite prey items.
Like most bird species, the male surf scoter or “drake” sports more attractive plumage than their female counterparts.

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LOCAL MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES

CALIFORNIA SEA LION

HARBOR SEAL

ELEPHANT SEAL

ORCA

SEA OTTER

HUMPBACK WHALE

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ENVIRONMENTAL�ETIQUETTE

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If you see a sick or injured marine mammal, please do not approach!

Call The Marine Mammal Center: (415) 289-7325

There are a few ways we can make sure our eagerness to view marine wildlife doesn’t disturb them. Please:

Learn before you go. Check out the rules and regulations for the area you are visiting.
Keep your distance – if you see them change behavior or notice you, you are too close
Do not touch for any reason
Do not feed or attract them to you. Interactions with wildlife can change their normal behavior and feeding habits which can result in harm or death to the animal, despite our best intentions
Do not approach sick or abandoned wildlife. If you find a sick or wounded animal, do not approach it, instead call the Pacific Wildlife Care or the Marine Mammal Center as soon as possible
Leave pets at home
Do not harass or chase wildlife
Pack your trash, and
Teach others around you to be responsible viewers. Our marine life thanks you!

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TIDEPOOLING ETIQUETTE

Keep an eye on the water. Never turn your back to the ocean.

Be aware of your surroundings, including water and waves, slippery rocks or algae, and tidepool creatures.

Step carefully. Avoid crushing animals, algae, and plants whenever possible.

Be gentle. Always touch lightly so you don’t disturb intertidal life.

Leave them. Take only pictures and return the animals, algae, plants, rocks, and shells to where you found them.

Remove trash. Pick it up and dispose of it in waste bins.

Avoid wading in tidepools

Give marine mammals space. Remain 50 yards away from them.

©Coastal Monument

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BE SEABIRD SAFE

Stay on trails – view from a distance.
If you see seabirds acting nervously (head bobbing, fluttering, or flying away), you are too close - back away.
Pack out your trash, recycle plastics.
Do not feed seabirds.
Never dump oil, fuel, or other foreign substances into the water or drains.
To learn more, visit: SeabirdProtectionNetwork.org
To report a dead or injured seabird, call Pacific Wildlife Care 805-543-9453 (WILD)

©Coastal Monument

San Luis Obispo is an important area for seabirds, but a few easy steps can help keep them safe. Approaching too close to seabird colonies causes birds to panic and fly away, potentially abandoning their nests. Abandoned nests leave eggs or chicks exposed to predators. In some cases, disturbances can cause complete breeding failure of a seabird colony, in which no chicks survive.

You can help protect seabirds by following these tips:

Stay on the trail at all times to avoid damaging underground nests.
If you see wildlife acting nervously you are too close; slowly back away and leave the area. Bring binoculars to enjoy watching seabirds from a safe distance.
Pack out your trash.
Do Not Feed Wildlife.
You can help protect seabirds by raising your awareness of seabirds and gaining a greater understanding of the places they go and the food they eat. To learn more, visit: SeabirdProtectionNetwork.org

Please report dead or injured seabirds to Pacific Wildlife Care. Here is the contact for you.

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REPORT SARGASSUM HORNERI

Non-native brown seaweed from China, Korea, and Japan.
Arrived in southern CA in ports of LA early 2000s.
Recently recorded at Monterey Breakwater in June 2020.
Highly invasive – adults fragment easily, and each can produce hundreds of fertile eggs in one receptacle (shown in yellow).
Help prevent spread, check vessel props & anchors before transiting!
If spotted, record the date and location and report to CDFW’s Invasive Species Program:

Call (866) 440-9530
Send an email to invasives@wildlife.ca.gov
Fill out the form at: wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Report

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STRANGE FISH IN WEIRD PLACES

Recently an influx of warmer water off California has brought unprecedented sightings of marine organisms found outside their typical habitats and range. Larger predatory fish and bigger schools of fish are staying around later in the year. Non-native species not previously recorded in Monterey are now being spotted here. These new species have the potential to displace native species.

To understand the effect that changing oceanic conditions will have on fish and benthic invertebrate communities, the California Undersea Imagery Archive is initiating a crowd-sourcing effort called Strange Fish in Weird Places.
Relying on you and others on the water, they will document your observations of organisms in new and unusual places.
They are requesting any or all of the information below, with an emphasis on the location, depth and date that any imagery was collected:

Desired attribution for use of photo on website and outreach materials
Time and date
Species ID (lowest taxonomic level possible)
Depth (if collected via SCUBA or breath-hold diving)
Location (lat/long if possible, general location if not)

For questions or to report, please contact them at cuia@csumb.edu. They very much appreciate your contributions.

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CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE WEST COAST

Warming Ocean Temperatures:

Much of the northeast Pacific Ocean was warmer than normal from April 19 to July 18, 2020.
Effects most dramatic offshore between Hawaii and Alaska.

Atmospheric Pressure Changes:

High pressure over Gulf of Alaska, Low pressure in NE Pacific in summer of 2019: causes reduced winds

Why is this a concern?

Winds remove heat, mix the surface waters with cooler waters below

Consequence: rapid warming of surface waters in NE Pacific

Marine Heatwaves:

New marine heatwave off the West Coast in Sept, 2019
Researchers monitoring effects on the marine ecosystem, resembles “The Blob” heatwave of 2014.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-marine-heatwave-emerges-west-coast-resembles-blob

Climate has been changing on the west coast- how does this impact our ocean?

Some of the major features that have impacted our coast in recent years include:

Warming ocean temperatures. We have had warmer temperatures from Hawaii to Alaska for the past decade including 2020.
Second, for a few years prior to 2020, a large body of warm surface water, called the “BLOB” placed itself off the west coast south of Alaska, and off the coast of Oregon and Washington. This blob acted like a heatwave in the ocean with major impacts to species distributions, as well as catches of fish and crab.
Finally a high pressure over the Gulf of Alaska created reduced winds in the summer of 2019. The lack of wind is of concern since the winds push the warm surface waters offshore, so that cooler waters upwell, or rise to the surface. This upwelling is responsible for the incredibly productive coastal waters of the West Coast.

These recent changes are of concern to commercial fishermen and anglers as well as coastal communities and are being monitoring carefully.

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GET INVOLVED

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SEA OTTER SAVVY

Community Science Team – collects data on sea otter behavior and disturbance
Outreach – Help share information about sea otters and responsible wildlife viewing
Help certify Sea Otter Savvy businesses!

Join the raft!

https://www.seaottersavvy.org/volunteer

Or email gena@seaottersavvy.org

SOUTHERN SEA OTTER FUN FACTS�Sea otters live 15-20 years�Mature females have 1 pup per year�Gestation period: 6 months

Live with mom for 6 months

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CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS SAN LUIS OBISPO �COAST DISTRICT

Connect virtually!

MPA Monday Facebook livestreams, social media posts, augmented reality app, kayak tours

Youth Programs

PORTS programs (K-12)
Virtual Coastal Explorers Summer Camp
Girl Scouts Love State Parks Virtual Event

SeaLife Stewards kayak volunteer program
Partnering at events (Sea Otter Awareness Week, Coastal Cleanup, many more)
Participate in Snapshot CalCoast

The California State Parks San Luis Obispo Coast District offers many ways to connect to the outdoors.
They have many virtual resources such as Facebook livestreams which feature MPAs every Monday, social media posts that highlight your MPAs, Agents of Discovery, an augmented reality app which motivated kids to explore the outdoors though challenges or “missions”, and now, virtual kayak tours.
Their youth programs include the PORTS Program which provides virtual school trips to MPAs and California State Parks, a virtual coastal explorer's summer camp and an annual Girl Scouts Love State Parks event.
The district works to include members of the community through the SeaLife Stewards kayak volunteer program, is partner to several organizations at outreach events, and with their participation in Snapshot CalCoast.

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MORRO BAY & CAYUCOS JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM

Emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and aquatic safety
Introduces young people to safe marine & aquatic recreation opportunities
Improves young people's physical conditioning, understanding and respect for the environment, and their respect for themselves and peers

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Monterey Pine reforestation and protection
Strategic acquisition of key properties with creek, forest and wildlife habitat value
Environmental education and public outreach

The North Coast area of San Luis Obispo County is a national treasure. Greenspace will protect and enhance its ecological systems, cultural resources and marine habitats through land acquisition and management, public education and advocacy.

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LIMPETS: LONG TERM MONITORING PROGRAM AND EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING FOR STUDENTS

Community science program for grades 6-12
Monitors > 400 miles of CA coastline, with 67 sites. 8 inside MPAs

Cambria SMCA

Check out limpets.org

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PACIFIC WILDLIFE CARE REHABILITATION CENTER

Only licensed rehabilitation center for injured birds, mammals, and reptiles in SLO county
Founded in 1986 in reaction to the Apex Houston oil spill that brought oiled pelicans to local beaches
3, 000 animals – over 200 species per year

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FRIENDS OF THE ELEPHANT SEAL

Foster safe and respectful viewing of elephant seals and marine life, and teach stewardship of the ocean
Docents at Point Piedras Blancas provide safe and educational viewing experiences
Outreach- school visits & San Simeon visitor center
Community science to gain knowledge on marine mammal behavior

www. elephantseal.org

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MORRO COAST AUDUBON SOCIETY

Promote the appreciation, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems, focusing on the biological diversity of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats

www.morrocoastaudubon.org

CREED

Conservation

Research

Education

Expansion

Diversity

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MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

Rescue range spans 600 miles of California coastline and the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
San Luis Obispo Operations team rescues ~100 to 430 animals each year.
~100 volunteers service San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County.

Advancing global ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, and education.

www.marinemammalcenter.org

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Celebrated 20 years in 2020

To learn more, visit the Ranch in Cambria

or go to fiscaliniranchpreserve.org

Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve protects and sustains diversity of life and beauty of this Central Coast treasure for everyone

Supported by donors, members, donors and volunteers

Preservation

Restoration

Education

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COASTAL DISCOVERY CENTER

Joint venture between Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks.
On San Simeon Bay, the Coastal Discovery Center celebrates connection between land and sea
Interactive exhibits, school programs, & events

https://montereybay.noaa.gov/vc/cdc/welcome.html

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SURFRIDER �SAN LUIS OBISPO CHAPTER

Dedicated to protection and enjoyment of world’s ocean, waves and beaches through powerful activist network.

Protecting Oceano Dunes
Marine Protected Areas
Climate Change
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

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CALIFORNIA COASTAL NATIONAL MONUMENT

Provides unique coastal habitat for marine-dependent wildlife and vegetation

7,924 acres of public land

Piedras Blancas, "white rocks" in Spanish, located near town of San Simeon

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Morro Bay National Estuary Program

Non-regulatory nonprofit working collaboratively to protect and restore Morro Bay estuary/watershed for people and wildlife.
Staff conducts monitoring and research, conserves and restores natural habitats, and promote stewardship of Morro Bay.
Collaborates with many partners to accomplish shared goals. Efficient & effective approach for watershed and estuary protection.
Highlights of their work and collaborations can be found at: https://www.mbnep.org/our-impact/

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Dive with a Purpose!

Join us today!

Want to get your fins wet, make a difference, enjoy diving with others and collect invaluable long-term data?

These data are used by marine managers, researchers and the public for the sustainable management of our ocean resources

Photo: Andrew Harmer

We train citizen scientists to collect data, on the health of their local reefs

Reef Check helps ensure the long-term sustainability and health of California’s nearshore rocky reefs and kelp forests

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One of the world’s most popular nature apps.

iNaturalist helps you identify the plants and animals around you.

Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature!

By recording and sharing your observations, you’ll create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.

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SNAPSHOT CAL COAST

Annual statewide effort to document coastal biodiversity.

Get out on the coast and share observation of plants, animals, and seaweeds using iNaturalist app.

Your chance to help build an annual snapshot of biodiversity along the California coast.

Become a part of community of observers and recorders answering questions about California’s MPAs.

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CCRFP

California Collaborative Fisheries

Research Program

A partnership of people and communities interested in fisheries sustainability.

With help of volunteer anglers and fishing community, we collect data on economically important nearshore species to inform fisheries management and evaluate marine protected areas (MPAs).

If you want to contribute to research and learn more about nearshore fish stocks, become a volunteer angler!

For more information, visit: www.mlml.calstate.edu/ccfrp/

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MPA WATCH

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1-888-334-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258), DOWNLOAD THE APP CALTIPS

Help stop poaching and polluting:

Monitor VHF marine channels #12 and #16

Local Harbor Patrol

1-800-OILS-911

Report Oil Spills

To report a dead or injured seabird, Pacific Wildlife Care at 805-543-WILD. In Avila Beach, the Port San Luis Harbor Patrol is also available to assist when available 805-595-5435.�

Report Dead Marine Mammals:

Pacific Wildlife Care: 805-543-9453 (WILD)

Report Sick or Dead Seabirds:

visit www. SeabirdProtectionNetwork.org

Help Protect Seabirds:

www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/report

Reporting Invasive Species in California:

1(800) 367-8222

24 Hour Vessel Assistance (Fees Involved):

1-877-SOS-WHALE (1-877-767-9425) for distressed whales and dolphins

Statewide Whale Rescue Team

Marine Mammal Center

IMPORTANT REPORTING & RESPONSE NUMBERS

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USEFUL MOBILE APPS

iNaturalist

iNaturalist, LLC

Identify plants and animals around you and record your observations

CalTIP

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

Submit anonymous tips to CDFW

Your Coast

California Coastal Commission

Explore beaches, trails and parks along the California coast

Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Provides recommendations for sustainable seafood and sushi

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THANK YOU