California’s newest state parks are under water – literally

LOS ANGELES
January 3, 2012 9:00pm

New marine protected areas" that includes wildlife hot spots such as the La Jolla kelp forest, Laguna tidepools, and Catalina Island coral gardens, are now under new state protection.

The areas join a growing system that currently dots the shore from Santa Barbara to Mendocino, and will soon stretch the length of California’s coast.

California is the first state to develop a science-based statewide network of marine protected areas, protecting productive reefs, kelp forests and tide pools while leaving about 90 percent of state waters open to fishing.

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), enacted in 1999 with bipartisan support, called for this network of protections to improve the health of California’s ocean wildlife and habitats.

"After decades of treating the ocean as inexhaustible, California has turned the tide towards restoring its legacy of abundant sea life," says Kaitilin Gaffney, Pacific program director of Ocean Conservancy. "California’s new protected areas are a smart investment in a healthier ocean and a more sustainable coastal economy."

The marine protected areas that went into effect on Sunday were designed by local citizens, including fishermen, surfers, conservationists and business leaders, to protect productive ocean areas while leaving most of the coast open for fishing. Many of the new protected areas are located adjacent to public beaches and state parks.

Coastal tourism and recreation are a major economic engine for California. A recent study showed over 90 percent of coastal recreation in southern California involves beach-going, diving, wildlife watching, surfing and other activities that will benefit from healthier oceans. According to the National Ocean Economics Program, California’s coast and ocean generate $22 billion in revenue and drive over 350,000 jobs each year.

The state is currently reviewing a community-supported marine protected area plan for California’s far north coast, and is expected to make a final decision in 2012. Once those protections go into effect, the statewide network called for under the MLPA will be complete.