After successfully establishing 29 new underwater refuges along the central coast, California is continuing to lead the way to a comprehensive network of marine protected areas along the rest of our state's 1,100-mile coastline.
In April 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger's Blue Ribbon Task Force recommended a compromise plan to protect ocean life along California's North Central Coast. In June, the Fish & Game Commission selected this plan as their "preferred alternative" for environmental review.
The plan would fully protect marine life in 11 percent of coastal waters in the region, ranging from San Mateo to Mendocino counties. It was based on a "common-ground" proposal developed by Ocean Conservancy and a diverse group of local stakeholders.
More than 1,000 Ocean Conservancy activists submitted public comment letters, and others attended the decision meeting in person to support strong ocean protection.
Ocean Conservancy and our partners are leading the fight to identify California's "underwater Yosemites" and give them the protection they deserve.
To learn more about how California's marine protected areas are being created, visit our MPA history page.
For spectacular pictures of our newly adopted marine protected areas and the special places we are still working to protect, take a tour of CalOceans.org.
California is stepping up to protect our coast because of the public's overwhelming support for healthier oceans. However, the process will only succeed if we continue to make our voices heard.
Click here to send an email in support of California's new marine protected areas on the North Central coast.
