MARINE PROTECTED AREA
WATCH PROGRAM
Orange County Coastkeeper
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY COASTKEEPER
OUR MISSION
We are a non-profit clean water organization that serves as a proactive steward for our fresh and saltwater ecosystems.
Protect swimmable, drinkable, fishable water and promote watershed resilience throughout our region.
OC COASTKEEPER’S PILLARS OF WORK
Education
Enforcement
Restoration
Research
Advocacy
Conservation
MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT (MLPA)
WHAT IS A MARINE PROTECTED AREA?
A Marine Protected Area is a named, discrete geographic marine or estuarine area designed to protect or conserve marine life and habitat. Most MPAs allow fishing, but all allow boating and other recreational activities.
BENEFITS INCLUDE:
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
IN ORANGE COUNTY
1. State Marine Reserves (SMR)
4. No Take SMCA
2. State Marine Park (SMP)
3. State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA)
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
IN ORANGE COUNTY
- Laguna Beach SMR
- Upper Newport Bay SMCA
- Crystal Cove SMCA
- Dana Point SMCA
- Laguna Beach SMCA
OC MPA SIMPLIFIED REGULATIONS
Bolsa Bay SMCA
Recreational take of finfish by hook and line is allowed only from designated areas.
Laguna Beach Reserve & SMCA
No take
Upper Newport Bay SMCA
Fishing from shore using hook and line only allowed in designated areas.
Crystal Cove & Dana Point SMCA
No taking from tide pools.
Bolsa Basin SMCA
No take.
MPA WATCH PROGRAM
MPA WATCH PROGRAM
Surveys can be conducted in coves or segments of sandy beaches. Surveys take several minutes to half an hour to complete.
Surveys are done by walking on a beach or observing from a vantage point. You should record both on- and offshore activities.
Surveys occur at varying intervals and data reports are produced biannually.
Your careful attention to detail is very important!
ORANGE COUNTY MPA WATCH SITES
CRYSTAL COVE SMCA
DANA POINT
UPPER NEWPOPT BAY SMCA
*Priority Monitoring Sites
ORANGE COUNTY MPA WATCH SITES
DANA POINT SMCA
*Priority Monitoring Sites
ORANGE COUNTY MPA WATCH SITES
*Priority Monitoring Sites
=
LAGUNA BEACH SMR
LAGUNA BEACH SMCA
PRIORITY SITES AND WHY
The prioritized survey sites are chosen by beach managers.
These sites include:
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is the agency in charge of managing and enforcing MPA regulations; however, any law enforcement officer is able to enforce these regulations.
To report any illegal activities in the MPAs call 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (888-334-2258).
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
TOLOWA DEE-NI’ NATION
ENV. ACTION COMMITTEE OF WEST MARIN
EAGLE EYES OF FALSE KLAMATH COVE
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS
GREATER FARALLONES ASSOCIATION
PACIFIC GROVE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
SANTA BARBARA CHANNELKEEPER
LOS ANGELES WATERKEEPER
HEAL THE BAY
ORANGE COUNTY COASTKEEPER
BLEU WORLD
WILDCOAST
OBSERVABLE ACTIVITES TO RECORD
Consumptive Onshore Activities
Consumptive Offshore Activities
Non-Consumptive Onshore Activities
Non-Consumptive Offshore Activities
COMMON ACTIVITIES
Hand Collection
Recreation
Tidepooling
Swimming
Private Vessel with Rod/Reel
Rod/Reel Fishing
Trap Fishing
Spear Fishing
TYPES OF BOATS
Fishing Boat
Purse Seiner
Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (5+ people)
Net Fishing Boat
Lobster Fishing Boat
Urchin Fishing Boat
https://www.dolphinsafari.com/public-tours/whale-watching/
TYPES OF BOATS
Work Boats (lifeguard, research, Coast guard, DFW)
Stationary Dive Boat (with flag up)
Paddle Operated Boat
Powerboat
Sailboat
Whale Watching Boat
https://www.dolphinsafari.com/public-tours/whale-watching/
FIELD EQUIPMENT
Directions to each MPA site are available at Google Maps
Optional:
OCCK MPA WATCH DATA SHEET
*Survey sheet is to be printed out and uploaded online on the same day it was taken.*
Someone is considered to be swimming if they are intentionally getting wet.
Be sure to note if activity is happening on rocky or sandy terrain!
Tidepooling is exploring marine ecosystems during low tide, but people should not be collecting anything from the habitats.
ONLINE DATA SHEET
Step 1: Click on “Log a Survey”
Step 2: Enter the Metadata of Survey
Step 3: Continue with survey as you would on paper
*Be sure to collect weather conditions while in the field
DATA REPORTING
2025 Annual Report
HELPFUL TIPS!
THANK YOU!
MPA DECADAL REVIEW
This is the formal 10-year review that evaluates the effectiveness of past program actions in order to accomplish the goals of the MLPA and guide future management decisions.
This review is presented to the CA Fish and Game Commission who then can make informed decisions regarding management approaches. Management of this MPA network is structured around 4 pillars:
DECADAL REVIEW RESULTS
Research and Monitoring
Outreach and Education
Policy and Permitting
Enforcement and Compliance
STATEWIDE MPA PERFORMANCE
CHANNEL ISLANDS
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
You can participate in the MPA Decadal Review!
The California Fish and Game Commission is currently evaluating the progress toward meeting the goals of the MLPA. While the MPA Decadal Review covers many topics, the main course of action we can take is to comment on the current petitions under review. These petitions include changes to existing MPA regulations/boundaries.
Please stay tuned for updates from County Coastkeeper, as the Ocean Protection Council is expected to revisit this topic in August and make their recommendations in October.
QUESTIONS?
Please Contact Ray Hiemstra
Associate Director
ray@coastkeeper.org
714-850-1965
or Courtney Rickard
Research Assistant
courtney@coastkeeper.org
Learn more on the Statewide MPA watch website:
www.mpawatch.org
Coastkeeper MPA watch website:
https://www.coastkeeper.org/research/mpa-watch-program/