The Marine Life Protection Act and Marine Protected Areas

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The Marine Life Protection ActandMarine
Protected Areas

• Of the Central Coast
• of California

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The MLPA Initiative

• Purpose Improving life in the Marine Protected
  Areas.

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6 Goals of the MLPA

• To protect the natural diversity and abundance of
  marine life and to maintain the marine ecosystems
• To help sustain, conserve and protect marine life
  populations and rebuild those that are depleted.
  This includes those of economic value.
• To improve recreational, educational and study
  opportunities provided by marine ecosystems
  subject to minimal human disturbance. And to
  manage these to protect biodiversity.

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6 Goals of the MLPA, cont.

• To protect marine natural heritage, including
  protection of representative and unique marine
  habitats in California for their intrinsic value.
• To ensure Californias MPAs have clearly defined
  objectives, effective management measures and
  adequate enforcement. And are based on sound
  scientific guidelines.
• To ensure that the MPAs are designed and managed
  as a network.

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What are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)?

• Areas designated to protect marine life and
  ecosystems.
• They include
• state marine reserves
• state marine parks
• state marine conservation areas
• MPAs are assisting in the conservation of the
  marine life and their habitats.

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MPAs allow for

• In marine reserves boating, diving, research,
  and education are allowed as long as the area is
  undisturbed and unpolluted.
• In state marine parks recreational fishing is
  allowed with restrictions for the protection of
  marine life commercial extraction is prohibited.
• In state marine conservation areas specified
  commercial and recreational activities are
  allowed, including fishing for certain species,
  fishing with certain practices, and kelp
  harvesting. Research and education are also
  allowed. These activities are allowed as long as
  the marine life is not compromised.

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Where are the MPAs?

• The MPAs begin at Pigeon Point and continue south
  to Point Conception.

More information on MPAs and the MLPA in general
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Species Likely to Benefit
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Commercial Fishing has depleted many species
populations
The Sardine was fished to the point of commercial
extinction
The Octopus population was affected by a small
fishery on the Central Coast
The Market Squid supported the largest fishery in
Monterey Bay
These populations and others have begun to
recover with strict fishery management and
improved habitat conditions
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Recreational fishing has also affected
populations
Two of the many species affected
The
Shiner Surfperch

Kelp Bass
Both of which are common recreational catches in
California
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Overfishing
Abalone
Mussels
Overharvest, siltation and pollution have
contributed to the decline of mussels.
Abalone face extinction due to overfishing and
disease
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Too much is too much
Bat Ray
Pacific Angel Shark
Popular with sport fishermen. Also, thought to
have eaten large numbers of oysters and were
killed for it by oyster farmers. Recently it was
found that crabs killed the oysters and Bat Rays
eat crabs.
Fished increasingly as their population decreased.
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Asian Markets
California Sheephead
Sea Cucumber
Small, pre-adult, usually female were sought for
aquariums. Sheephead became a large share of the
catches.
Fisheries need a permit to fish for Sea
Cucumbers, but there is no limit of animals
caught.
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Pollution
Urban runoff, sludge, silt, sewage, and oil have
devastating effects on marine life.
Sea Stars
Giant Kelp
Shrimp
It is also best to leave the sea stars and other
marine life alone when visiting the sea shore.
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When we protect wetlands against development, we
protect the homes of many animals, including the
Clam
and
Sea Hare
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Bycatch and Habitat Damage
Tuna
Sought by purse seine and longlining fleets.
Purse Seines catch unwanted fish and other
animals. Longlines kill large numbers of sea
turtles.
Wolf Eel
Rockhopper trawls damage the rocky reefs where
fish and other animals live.
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Reproduction
Catching fish faster than they can reproduce
Rockfish
Big Skate
Some species of rockfish dont breed until they
are 20 years old and have very few young.
Big Skates live longer and produce fewer offspring
More species likely to benefit
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Thank You!
The Marine Life Protection Act http//www.dfg.ca.
gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/mp081506_full.pdf