The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) is a visionary law that protects important ocean habitats to ensure sustainable fish populations, and thriving marine ecosystems, for current and future generations. Our country began setting aside special areas on land over 150 years ago, with the establishment of the first the National Parks, and it’s time to extend those protections to our ocean.  A network of marine protected areas will preserve the best parts of California’s coastal ocean—iconic areas like Rocky Point and Point Dume—while leaving the vast majority open for fishing. Marine reserves and protected areas are a proven tool to help restore the severely depleted fish populations and ocean health of southern California.

Southern California Marine Life Needs Your Help!
Southern California’s marine habitats and populations are in trouble: in the past 50 years, the numbers and sizes of fish living in our coastal waters have dramatically declined.

• 80% of southern California’s kelp forests have been lost;
• Giant black sea bass, many species of rockfish, and abalone are now endangered;
• In Los Angeles County, commercial fishing revenue has dropped by half over the past 18 years.

Marine Protected Areas Work

Scientists have shown that marine protected areas help restore depleted fish and wildlife populations. In fully protected marine reserves, scientists have found that fish grow more abundant, bigger, and more productive.  Marine reserves support biodiversity and resilience, and help seed surrounding waters with young fish and shellfish.

Five years of scientific monitoring from Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Channel Islands demonstrate significant recovery of ocean habitats, fish populations and benefits to fishing. See the study,"Northern Channel Islands ecological and socioeconomic 5-year report:"

Hundreds of Marine Protected Areas have been established worldwide since the 1960’s to rebuild fish populations and restore ocean habitats. These protected areas are good for sea life and for people-- fishermen, divers, and other ocean users benefit from the renewed abundance. In many places, fishermen have seen increases in catches and profits, and have become their strongest supporters.

New Study: Marine Protections for SoCal Won’t Hurt Fishing
Santa Monica Baykeeper has partnered with LightHawk to map boat activity between the Tijuana Border and Point Conception in Santa Barbara County. Our study helps to track how and where different uses like fishing and diving occur off our coast, so that protected areas can be designed to maximize benefits and minimize short-term economic impacts. Learn more.