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An Overview of Santa Barbara Channel �Marine Protected Areas

Your local on the water playground

OVERVIEW

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OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION

Welcome to the Santa Barbara Channel
Science of marine conservation
Deep dive into local marine protected areas (MPAs)
Species you may encounter
Wildlife etiquette
Local engagement with your coast

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WELCOME TO THE SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL

Sub-marine geology, weather patterns, and currents make this area diverse
Abundance of pelagic fish
Home to 18 MPAs and 2 Special Closures:

2 No-Take SMCAs = purple
3 SMCAs = blue
5 SMRs = red
7 MR= red
1 MCA = blue

Channel Islands NMS

SANTA BARBARA

VENTURA

CHANNEL ISLANDS

YOU ARE

HERE!

This slide shows a map of the Santa Barbara Channel waters.

The Santa Barbara channel is the portion of the ocean that separates mainland Santa Barbara county from the Channel Islands, and is characterized by unique sub-marine geology, weather patterns and currents, which all work together to create an “transition zone,” abundant with pelagic fish, which we will discuss in more detail in the next few slides.
In Santa Barbara county, there are a total of 18 marine protected areas, or MPAs, and 2 special closures. On the coast of the mainland, there are 6 MPAs and surrounding the northern Channel Islands there are 12 MPAs and 2 special closures. There are 2 no-take state marine conservation areas, shown in purple on the map, 3 state marine conservation areas, shown in blue on the map, and 5 state marine reserves, shown in red. There are also 7 state and federal marine reserves (MR) and 1 state and federal marine conservation area (MCA). These are MPAs that extend into federal waters, shown in hatched markings on the map around the Channel Islands.
The spectacular Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary sits off the coast, beginning at the 3 nautical mile limit in federal waters.

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WELCOME TO THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

8-island archipelago: 4 islands in Santa Barbara County, 2 in Ventura, 2 in Los Angeles
5 islands make up National Park & National Marine Sanctuary
Remote islands with few services, offering incredible exploration opportunities
Chumash and Tongva first stewards of islands
Abundance of marine life

The Channel Islands are an 8-island archipelago, with 4 islands in Santa Barbara County, 2 in Ventura County, and 2 in Los Angeles County.
Five of the islands - San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara - make up the Channel Islands National Park, which is also surrounded by the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
The Channel Islands have a rich human history with many shell midden sites serving as remnants of its early inhabitants. The Channel Islands were inhabited by the Chumash and Tongva people and their ancestors for thousands of years, from time immemorial to the present.
Today, the islands have remained largely unsettled, with no roads of services, yet they offer many recreational opportunities.
This area is incredibly abundant and known for its kelp forests that are teeming with life.

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SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL

Oceanographic transition zone: rich biodiversity
Macrozooplankton important driving factor in biodiversity
Four port-based fishing communities rely on channel: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme
Fantastic whale watching opportunities

The Channel Islands region is located at the convergence of warm currents that rush up the California coast from the tropics, meeting cold water currents that push down from Alaska. This convergence creates a unique "transition zone".
Nutrient-rich water, combined with the mixing of temperatures and meeting of species from southern and northern ranges, account for the rich and varied marine life found at the Channel Islands and within the Santa Barbara Channel.
In Santa Barbara, the weather conditions also create frequent upwelling, which causes cold, nutrient rich waters to rise from the depths of the ocean, creating a remarkably productive ecosystem and an abundance of macrozooplankton (like the one pictured on the slide). These macrozooplankton serve as a basis of the food web for the incredibly diverse marine life in the channel.
Four port-based fishing communities - Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme - rely on the Santa Barbara Channel. The main fisheries here are market squid, many species of coastal pelagic finfish, rock crab, red sea urchins, and spot prawns.
The Santa Barbara Channel is also home to about 27 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Whale watching trips are popular year-round and depart from Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Channel Island Harbors.

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CHUMASH MARITIME CULTURE �of the SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL

Mainland coast and islands home of the Chumash people for thousands of years.

Maritime culture relied heavily on the surrounding marine life of the Santa Barbara Channel - first anglers and boaters in Santa Barbara County.

Tomols (Chumash plank canoes) are ocean-going vessels that travel throughout the channel and the extensive trade network of the west coast.

Ancestors of the Chumash people developed a complex maritime culture that relied heavily on the surrounding marine life of the Santa Barbara Channel.
The Chumash tribe have long inhabited Santa Barbara County and Channel Islands area for thousands of years, from time immemorial to the present.
They maintain a deep understanding of and connection to the earth, and treat the land and ocean with the utmost respect.
They were the first anglers and boaters in Santa Barbara County, utilizing the naturally abundant marine life.
Using tomols, Chumash plank canoes, and extensive knowledge of the ocean, they traveled and traded with mainland, other Channel Islands tribes, and extensive trade networks of the west coast.
Currency produced by the Chumash was used by indigenous nations throughout the western region of the continent.

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SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL CULTURAL HISTORY

~11,000 B.C.E

Area settled by Indigenous Tribes

1542

Europeans first contact with Chumash

1782

S.B. Presidio; Mission

Basilica San Buenaventura

1850

S.B. one of the original counties of CA

1602

S.B. Channel receives name

(space not proportionate,

formatted to fit slide)

1950

Population explodes following WW2

Oil Spill

1969

1786

Mission Santa Barbara

1787

La Purísima Mission (Lompoc)

Channel Islands NMS & NP

1980

The history of the Santa Barbara Channel area dates back thousands of years:

The Chumash and Tongva have lived in what we now know as Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands for thousands of years.
In 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo first landed in Santa Barbara, marking the first European contact.
About 60 years later, in 1602, Sebastián Vizcaíno named the area after a saint, calling the area’s channel “Santa Barbara.”
Nearly two hundred years later, the Presidio of Santa Barbara was established. Santa Barbara would later become one of the original counties of California, but remain relatively small in population size.
After World War 2, people flocked to Santa Barbara. With this population increase also came the oil industry, which has a long and sometimes troubling relationship with the area, especially after a massive oil spill in 1969. This oil spill was actually a foundational moment in the formation of the environmental movement in this area.
In 1980, the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Channel Islands National Park were established.

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COASTAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

SPORTFISHING

WILDLIFE WATCHING

HIKING

©sergejk

Leave for a trip from:

Arroyo Burro Beach Park
Goleta Pier
Stearns Wharf
Refugio State Beach
Channel Islands

Wildlife watching is popular at:

Santa Barbara Channel
Campus Point
Goleta Slough
Devereux Slough

Go hiking or walking in:

Inspiration Point
Seven Falls
La Cumbre Peak
Channel Islands

For trips into the Channel, check out Island Packers, the official Channel Islands National Park Island Concessionaire

There are a number of incredible coastal recreation opportunities in the Santa Barbara Channel area.

Recreational fishing for certain species is allowed in the State Marine Conservation Areas on the mainland and Channel Islands such as Naples, Kashtayit, and Painted Cave. Just be sure to grab your fishing license and check the rules before you go!
Wildlife watching for gray, blue, humpback and pilot whales, and many species of dolphins is popular throughout the Santa Barbara Channel area. While Goleta Slough and Devereux Slough are popular places for bird watching.
There are many incredible hiking destinations throughout Santa Barbara, such as Inspiration Point, the Coastal Vista Trail, and more. In the Channel Islands hiking is one of the only ways to get around the islands, and there are many beautiful trails available to explore these remote islands.

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COASTAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

SURFING

SCUBA AND SNORKELING

KAYAKING

©Kevin Baird

@ Glenn Beltz

Popular surfing locations:

Rincon Point
Leadbetter Point
Campus Point
Sandspit
Hammond’s Point
El Capitán State Beach

Dive and snorkel locations:

Channel Islands
Gaviota State Beach
Arroyo Burro Park
Refugio State Beach

Go kayaking in:

Isla Vista
Goleta Beach
Leadbetter Beach
East Beach
Ventura Harbor
Santa Barbara Harbor
Channel Islands Harbor

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COASTAL ACCESS POINTS - NORTH SANTA BARBARA

Paradise Beach
Point Sal State Beach
Minuteman Beach
Wall Beach
Ocean Beach Park
Surf Beach
Jamala Beach and County Park
Point Conception
Gaviota Beach
Refugio Beach
Arroyo Quemada Beach
El Capitán State Beach
Naples Point
Haskell’s Beach
Sands Beach
Devereux Beach
Depressions Beach
Campus Point Beach
Goleta Beach
More Mesa Beach

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COASTAL ACCESS POINTS – SOUTH SANTA BARBARA

Arroyo Burro State Beach Park
Mesa Lane Beach
1,000 Steps Beach
Leadbetter Beach
West Beach
East Beach
Butterfly Beach
Loon Point Beach
Santa Claus Beach
Carpinteria City & State Beach
La Conchita Beach

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VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL ACCESS POINTS

Carpinteria State Beach
Rincon Beach Park
La Conchita Beach
Oil Piers Beach
Hobson Beach Park
Faria Beach Park
Mondo’s Beach
Solimar Beach
Emma Wood State Beach
Surfers Point/Seaside Park
San Buenaventura State Beach
Harbor Cove Beach
McGrath State Beach
Mandalay State Beach
Oxnard State Beach Park
Silver Strand State Beach
Port Hueneme Beach Park
Ormond Beach
Point Mugu Beach
Thornhill Broome Beach
Sycamore Cove Beach
Leo Carrillo State Beach

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SANTA BARBARA COASTAL CAMPGROUNDS

Jamala Beach County Park
Gaviota Beach State Park and Campground
Refugio State Beach
El Capitan State Beach
Ocean Mesa RV and Campground
Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Carpinteria State Beach

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VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL CAMPGROUNDS

Hobson Beach Park
Rincon Parkway Campground
Faria Beach Park
Emma Wood State Beach
Ventura Beach RV Resort
McGrath State Beach
Sycamore Canyon Campground
Thronhill Broome Campground
Leo Carrillo State Beach

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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

MPAs 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, meaning more variety of marine life, including fish

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

Ex.) Kelp Bass benefit from MPAs that protect kelp forests, such as Point Conception SMR

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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

NO-TAKE STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS

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

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

Exceptions: Restrictions on boating and swimming in Goleta Slough No- Take SMCA

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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SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

STATE & FEDERAL MARINE RESERVES (MR)

STATE & FEDERAL MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS (MCA)

SPECIAL CLOSURES (SC)

Island MPAs

Richard Rock SMR and FMR
San Miguel Island SC
Judith Rock SMR
Harris Point SMR and FMR
South Point SMR and FMR
Carrington Point SMR
Skunk Point SMR
Gull Island SMR and FMR
Painted Cave SMCA
Scorpion SMR and FMR
Footprint SMR and FMR
Anacapa Island SMCA and FMCA
Anacapa Island SMR and FMR
Anacapa Island SC

Mainland MPAs

1. Vandenberg SMR

2. Point Conception

SMR

3. Kashtayit SMCA

4. Naples SMCA

5. Campus Point

SMCA (No-Take)

6. Goleta Slough

SMCA (No-Take)

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

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SMR	Restrictions
Vandenberg and Point Conception State Marine Reserves	Take of all living marine resources, including shells and rocks, is prohibited.
SMCA	Allowable Take
Campus Point and Goleta Slough No-Take State Marine Conservation Areas	Take of all living marine resources, including shells and rocks, is prohibited.
Kashtayit State Marine Conservation Area	Recreational take of finfish, giant kelp by hand, and invertebrates (except rock scallops and mussels) is allowed.
Naples State Marine Conservation Area	Recreational take of white seabass and pelagic finfish by spearfishing is allowed. Commercial take of giant kelp is allowed.

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SMR	Restrictions
Richardson Rock, Harris Point, South Point, Gull Island, Scorpion, Footprint, and Anacapa Island SMR and FMRs; Judith Rock, Carrington Point SMR, and Skunk Point SMRs	Take of all living marine resources, including shells and rocks, is prohibited.
SMCA & Special Closures	Allowable Take
Painted Cave State Marine Conservation Area	Recreational take of spiny lobster and pelagic finfish is allowed.
Anacapa Island State and Federal Marine Conservation Area	Recreational take of lobster and pelagic finfish is allowed. Commercial take of lobster is allowed.
Anacapa Island Special Closure	No nets or traps allowed in waters less than 20 feet deep off the Anacapa Islands. 120 ft brown pelican fledgling area closed January 1- Oct. 31. No person except employees of CDFW or NPS shall enter this area during closure.
San Miguel Island Special Closure	300 yard closure except: March 15- April 30; closure reduced to 100 yards Oct. 1- Dec. 15. Boats operated by commercial sea urchin divers may enter certain areas only between March 15-April 30 & Oct. 1-Dec. 15 Additional restrictions exist for boating and speed limits, noise, anchoring, landing, and access to offshore rocks and islands.

Here are the regulations for MPAs surrounding the Channel Islands:

The Channel Islands have an extensive network of MPAs, with both federal and state marine reserves and marine conservation areas.
Both Federal and State Marine Reserves prohibit all take of marine resources including shells, and rocks. Federal marine reserves are controlled by the federal government, and they are usually both a federal and a state marine reserve, such as Richard Rock FMR and SMR, and South Point FMR and SMR, etc.
The SMCAs allow certain types of fishing, such as take of pelagic finfish, which are the target of many anglers.
Anacapa Island and San Miguel Island Special Closures were put in place to reduce disturbances to seabird and marine mammal populations. These areas prohibit boating and entry and closures are present in these areas at certain times of year.

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Santa Barbara Mainland�Marine Protected Areas

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VANDENBERG SMR

Off the coast of Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc
Protects offshore reefs, sandy bottom habitats, and rocky cliffs
Limited vessel traffic in this area adds extra protection for marine life
Critical nesting habitat for: brown pelicans, guillemots, cormorants, and oystercatchers

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POINT CONCEPTION SMR

Many shipwrecks due to difficult weather conditions

Largest naval peacetime disaster in 1923

Difficult to access
Important cultural site for Chumash people
Upwelling zone, oil seeps, pinnacles, rocky reefs, kelp forest, deep rock, and harbor seal haul outs

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KASHTAYIT SMCA

Near Gaviota State Park
Traditional Chumash village site of Kashtayit
Tribal co-management, crucial site in Chumash maritime culture
Chumash use area to promote marine stewardship, education, outreach and more

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NAPLES SMCA

Protect unique offshore rocky reef, Naples Reef, intertidal areas, surf grass, kelp forest, and a harbor seal haul out
Features underwater caves, popular among advanced divers
Species likely to benefit from this MPA: barred surfperch, kelp bass, white seabass and more
Popular for kayaking, snorkeling, diving and boating

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Estuary, tidal creeks, tidal marsh, and wetlands
Nursery area for juvenile fish
Foraging area for birds
Diverse ecosystem, many species rely on this area
Due to sensitive habitat, no kayaks or SUPs are allowed up slough

GOLETA SLOUGH SMCA (NO-TAKE)

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CAMPUS POINT SMCA (NO-TAKE)

Eelgrass, surfgrass, kelp forest, rocky intertidal, rocky reefs, shallow subtidal, oil seeps, sand, and estuarine inputs from Devereux Slough
Home of threatened Western Snowy Plovers, a species of Special Concern

Please be aware of their nests on the beach. Keep dogs on leash.

No-take allowed

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Channel Islands�Marine Protected Areas

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Galapagos of North America- home to thousands of species, many endemic
NMS protects 1470 square miles of ocean waters from mean high tide to 6 nautical miles offshore
National Park: terrestrial and marine protections
Unique geographic and oceanographic factors make this region incredibly unique
Kelp forests and rocky reefs support incredible biodiversity
Network of 13 MPAs, protecting 21% of sanctuary waters

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park

The five Northern Channel Islands (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara) are part of both the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Channel Islands National Park.
The islands are absolutely spectacular, featuring an incredible diversity of life and virtually untouched terrain.
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary was established in 1980, protecting 1,470 square miles of ocean encompassing the waters up to six nautical miles offshore around each of the five islands.
In 1980, Channel Islands National Park was also established, protecting Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and San Miguel Islands in addition to Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands, previously designated as Channel Islands National Monument.
The region is very unique due to the oceanographic factors and massive kelp forests which host a variety of life, including prized gamefish, such as kelp bass!
The 11 marine reserves do not allow any take, but there are some marine conservation areas that do, which we will explore in the next few slides.

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SANTA ROSA ISLAND MPAS

South Point MR:

Sandy coves, kelp forests, surfgrass and rocky reef
Northern elephant seals, rockfish and red abalone
S.S. Chickasaw wreck

Carrington Point SMR:

Kelp forest, surfgrass and eelgrass
Rock crab, rockfish and blue whales
8.8 mile hike to reach Point

Skunk Point SMR:

Only lagoon in northern CI, kelp forest, surfgrass, eelgrass
Snowy plover habitat and harbor seal haul out

* Take is prohibited within any Santa Rosa Island MPAs

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SAN MIGUEL ISLAND MPAS

Home to largest seabird rookery in North America
Only place in the world to view 6 species of pinnipeds
Richardson Rock MR:

Offshore pinnacle; deep waters including high relief rocky habitat
Diverse fishes and marine mammals including rockfish, lingcod and abalone

Harris Point MR:

Kelp forests, surfgrass and deep waters with rocky reefs
Red abalone, rockfish (copper, gopher, vermillion), Cassin’s Auklet

Judith Rock SMR:

Kelp forests and surfgrass
Protects N. Elephant seals, breeding and roosting seabirds and rockfish

San Miguel Island Special Closure:

Restrictions on boating access, includes Point Bennett (pictured), features thousands of pinnipeds

* Take is prohibited within any San Miguel Island MPAs

San Miguel Island is the westernmost Channel Island and located closest to Point Conception. The Island features an array of state marine reserves and a special closure.
Richardson Rock SMR and FMR protects Richardson Reef and a small islet five miles off San Miguel Island. The islet is covered with birds and pinnipeds.
Harris Point SMR and FMR protects a variety of marine life including California spiny lobster, wolf eels, rockfish, Risso’s dolphin, Steller sea lion, and great white sharks. The surrounding area is also highly regarded for its beautiful hikes.
Judith Rock SMR protects a beautiful offshore reef called Judith Reef, which is home to many rockfish, nudibranchs, anemones, and more.
San Miguel Island Special Closure protects the coastline, and restricts boating access to protect seabird rookeries and haul out sites for pinnipeds. Point Bennett, included in the Special Closure, is especially famous for pinnipeds, and if you are brave enough to take the 15 mile hike to this area, you will see thousands of pinnipeds hauled out on the beach and in the water, as pictured above. The most common species spotted are harbor seals, northern four seals, northern elephant seals, and California sea lions.

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SANTA CRUZ ISLAND MPAS

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SANTA CRUZ ISLAND MPAS

Scorpion Anchorage

*Take is prohibited within these MPAs

Blue Rockfish

Snowy Plover

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ANACAPA ISLAND MPAS

Anacapa Island is the second smallest of the Channel Islands, but the closest to the mainland. Its another spectacular location with amazing views and many recreational opportunities.
The Anacapa Island MPAs are easily accessible by boat and can be enjoyed by divers, snorkelers, swimmers, kayakers, and, within the SMCA, by fishermen.
The Anacapa Island SMR and FMR features rocky shores, surfgrass beds, kelp forests, and deep offshore sand and rocky bottom habitats. No take is permitted.
Anacapa Island Special Closure is in place to help protect breeding brown pelicans and their fledglings from human disturbances. This special closure is closed seasonally during brown pelican fledgling season.
The Anacapa Island SMCA and FMCA has a rocky shoreline habitat, and allows take of spiny lobster both recreationally and commercially, and recreational take of pelagic finfish.

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Footprint MR

Offshore from Anacapa Island
Not on an island so easy to cross boundary - watch your drift!
Deep, towering rocky reefs, cobble and boulder fields, sand
Protects black ‘Christmas tree’ coral, and rockfish like cowcod and bocaccio

Black ‘Christmas Tree’ Coral

Footprint SMR

*Take is prohibited within this MPA

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SANTA BARBARA ISLAND MR

*Take is prohibited within this MPA

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Begg Rock SMR

8 Miles off San Nicolas Island’s west end
Protects offshore pinnacles
Home of rare purple hydrocoral
Popular SCUBA site
Begg Rock rises out of the sea
Below the surface, vertical rock walls provide excellent habitat for invertebrates

Anemones, brittle stars, sponges, barnacles, scallops

BEGG ROCK SMR

Purple Hydrocoral

Begg Rock

*Take is prohibited within this MPA

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LOCAL MARINE SPECIES

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LOCAL FISH FISH

Giant Sea Bass

Rockfish

Garibaldi

@Patrick Webster

@Rick Starr

Lingcod

@Derek Stein

Sheephead

Calico Bass

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LOCAL INVERTEBRATE SPECIES

Rock Scallop

California Spiny Lobster

Two-spot Octopus

Opalescent Nudibranch

California Mussels

Pink Volcano Barnacle

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LOCAL BIRD SPECIES

Western Snowy Plover

Sooty Shearwater

Pelagic Cormorant

Black Oystercatcher

Ashy Storm-petrel

Brown Pelican

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LOCAL MARINE MAMMALS SPECIES

California Sea Lion

Harbor Seal

Humpback Whale

Blue Whale

Pacific White-sided Dolphin

Gray Whale

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LOCAL ELASMOBRANCH SPECIES

Great White Shark

Basking Shark

Pacific Angel Shark

Bat Ray

Blue Shark

Swell Shark

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LOCAL MARINE ALGAE SPECIES

Surfgrass

Feather Boa Kelp

Sea Palm

Giant Kelp

Dead Mans Fingers

Bull Kelp

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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: (805) 771-8302

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 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.

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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: Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network: (805)-681-1080

The Santa Barbara Channel 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.
Pack out your trash.
Do Not Feed Wildlife.
Bring binoculars to enjoy watching seabirds from a safe distance.
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.

Please report dead or injured seabirds to the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network. Here are the contacts 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 are now being spotted in areas they have not previously been found. 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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CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS�CHANNEL COAST DISTRICT

MPA PORTS Program virtual field trips
Every Kid Outdoors Field Trip Program
Interpretive Kayaking Program
Community and School Outreach Programs
Natural History Day Program
Tide Pool Walks
Coastal Nature Hikes
MPA and wildlife campfire programs
Junior Ranger and Junior Lifeguard Programs
Roving Interpretive Stations

To volunteer contact Ann.Boggess@parks.ca.gov

For information on public programs contact Paker.Grand@parks.ca.gov

Volunteer Opportunities and Public Programs

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ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER (EDC)

Protects and enhances California's south-central coast through education, advocacy, and legal action, with focus on:

Santa Barbara Channel
Clean Water
Open Space and Wildlife
Climate and Energy

https://www.environmentaldefensecenter.org/

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SANTA BARBARA CHANNELKEEPERS

Founded in 1999
To protect and restore Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds through science-based advocacy, education, field work, and enforcement
Volunteer for MPA Watch! Contact penny@sbck.org
Check out Channelkeeper's interactive MPA scuba diving maps for Campus Point SMCA, Naples SMCA, and Anacapa Island SMR (www.sbck.org/our-work/advocacy/marine-protected-areas/)

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SANTA BARBARA SEA CENTER��Permanent Exhibits, Unique Events And Special Educational Programming

Aquarist volunteer
Nature adventures volunteer
Marine mammal interpreter
Education volunteers
Ocean ambassador
Plankton monitoring
Live dive volunteer

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THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

San Luis Obispo operations (SLO) rescues animals in San Luis Obispo county and Santa Barbara County south to Point Sal

Contact: slo@tmmc.org or

(805) 771-8302

�Website:

www.MarineMammalCenter.org

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SANTA BARBARA �FLY FISHERS

Promote art of fresh and saltwater fly fishing, catch and release, conserving our natural resources and contributing to our communities
Offer youth programs, fly tying, fly casting, and rod building classes as well as good camaraderie through monthly meetings and group fishing trips
Trout in the Classrooms
River Cleanups

Contact: https://sbflyfishers.com/

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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!
What’s more, 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

Help build an annual snapshot of biodiversity�
Join the community of observers helping answer 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:

1-888-491-GEAR (4237)

Report lost fishing gear:

www. Boatingcleanandgreen.com

Learn about clean boating and how to recycle fishing line:

Santa Barbara: (805) 771-8302 or Channel Islands: (805) 567-1505

Report Dead or Injured Marine Mammals:

Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network: 805.681.1080

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
San Luis Obispo Operations, The Marine Mammal Center: 805.771.8300

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