California Network of MPAs

In 1999, California adopted the Marine Life Protection Act, establishing the United States' first state law requiring a comprehensive, science-based network of Marine Protected Areas. To implement the historic law, the state created the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. A high-level team of policy advisors (the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force) as well as stakeholder and scientific advisory groups ensure that the process uses the best science and an unprecedented level of public participation.

The MLPA Initiative established a plan to create California's statewide MPA network by 2011 in several steps. The initial (Central Coast) step was successfully completed in September, 2007. The second (North Central Coast) step was completed in 2010. The third (South Coast) and fourth (North Coast) went into effect in 2012.

The MLPA had as its task the redesign of California's system of marine protected areas (MPAs) to function as a network in order to: increase coherence and effectiveness in protecting the state's marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage, as well as to improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems subject to minimal human disturbance. There are six goals that guide the development of MPAs in the MLPA planning process:

1. Protect the natural diversity and abundance of marine life, and the structure, function and integrity of marine ecosystems.

2. Help sustain, conserve and protect marine life populations, including those of economic value, and rebuild those that are depleted.

3. Improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems that are subject to minimal human disturbance, and to manage these uses in a manner consistent with protecting biodiversity.

4. Protect marine natural heritage, including protection of representative and unique marine life habitats in CA waters for their intrinsic values.

5. Ensure California's MPAs have clearly defined objectives, effective mgmt. measures and adequate enforcement and are based on sound scientific guidelines.

6. Ensure the State's MPAs are designed and managed, to the extent possible, as a network.

To help achieve these goals, three types of MPA designation types are part of the MLPA process: state marine reserves, state marine parks and state marine conservation areas. Only state marine reserves are no-take areas.