2019 Blue Parks Awardee

Marine Conservation Institute, recognizing the need for more and better ocean protection, is leading a major initiative to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. Launched in 2017, Blue Parks is an innovative strategy to incentivize decision makers to establish protected areas that safeguard marine life and promote opportunities for sustainable tourism. Learn more about the program at blueparks.org

Habitat types: Painted Cave is reputedly the largest sea cave off the coast of North America. Rocky cliffs around the cave drop sharply into the ocean. The intertidal zone is narrow, characterized by steep rocky walls descending into the subtidal. Bottom habitat is primarily sand and cobble.

Surrounding habitat types: Similar habitats are found to the east and west with multiple small sea caves. Offshore habitats are primarily sand and cobble.

Summary of existing regulations: No take of living, geological, or cultural resources is allowed except for the recreational take of spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) and pelagic finfish.

Primary objectives: A state marine conservation area by definition may achieve one or more of the following goals:

1. Protect or restore rare, threatened or endangered native plants, animals, or habitats in marine areas;
2. Protect or restore outstanding, representative, or imperiled marine species, communities, habitats, and ecosystems;
3. Protect or restore diverse marine gene pools;
4. Contribute to the understanding and management of marine resources and ecosystems by providing the opportunity for scientific research in outstanding, representative, or imperiled marine habitats or ecosystems;
5. Preserve outstanding or unique geological features;
6. Provide for sustainable living marine resource harvest.

Existing Enforcement: Included as part of normal Department of Fish and Game marine patrol activities for this general area based on available patrol resources and level of fishery activity in the area. Channel Islands MPAs have been given a high priority for enforcement. A new, 54 foot, patrol vessel and several smaller vessels have been dedicated to Island patrols. National Park island rangers are present on the island.

Basic Evaluation: This is a recently established marine protected area. Refer to above review of baseline and ongoing monitoring and research studies.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/sb.asp#paintedcave