Northern California Marine Protected Areas Guide

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) recently released the Guide to the Northern California Marine Protected Areas.

The full-color guide includes maps with identifiable landmarks, shoreline boundary images and existing regulations for marine protected areas (MPAs) along the northern California coast (California-Oregon state line to Point Arena).

The guide also contains information about northern California MPAs, answers to frequently asked questions, general rules that apply to all MPAs and links to DFG web pages.

Northern California MPAs go into effect Wednesday, Dec. 19. The California Fish and Game Commission adopted regulations in June.

California's regional network includes 19 MPAs, one State Marine Recreational Management Area and seven special closures, covering approximately 137 square miles of state waters and 13 percent of the region.

The guide is available for online viewing and printing at www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/guidebooks.asp

source: California Department of Fish and Game