San Diego County Marine Protected Areas

07/17/2020

The collection of tidepool creatures is NOT allowed in MPAs without CDFW issued scientific collection permit.

Reference: CCR Title 14, Section 632

(A) State Marine Reserves: In a state marine reserve, it is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource, except under a scientific collecting permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 650 or specific authorization from the commission for research, restoration, or monitoring purposes.

(B) State Marine Parks: In a state marine park, it is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living or nonliving marine resource for commercial purposes. Any human use that would compromise protection of the species of interest, natural community or habitat, or geological, cultural, or recreational features, may be restricted by the commission as specified in subsection 632(b), areas and special regulations for use. The department may issue scientific collecting permits pursuant to Section 650. The commission may authorize research, monitoring, and educational activities and certain recreational harvest in a manner consistent with protecting resource values.

(C) State Marine Conservation Areas: In a state marine conservation area, it is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource for commercial or recreational purposes, or a combination of commercial and recreational purposes except as specified in subsection 632(b), areas and special regulations for use. The department may issue scientific collecting permits pursuant to Section 650. The commission may authorize research, education, and recreational activities, and certain commercial and recreational harvest of marine resources, provided that these uses do not compromise protection of the species of interest, natural community, habitat, or geological features.

San Pedro tide pools are attracting an unprecedented number of people who are looking to harvest free seafood, alarming experts and residents.

10/17/2019

A voice for the coast and the ocean

09/13/2019

New research finds California’s System of Marine Protected Areas is doing exactly what it was designed to do — allowing marine species to reproduce in safe places.

08/19/2019

Hefty new fines give California Fish and Wildlife wardens a powerful tool to enforce rules in marine protected areas

06/13/2019

05/28/2019

In March WILDCOAST joined forces with Native Like Water (a program operated by InterTribal Youth) and the San Diego Maritime Museum to embark on a journey of marine research, exploration, and healing for Indigenous youth. WILDCOAST aims to help re-establish the Indigenous connection to the San Diego...

01/09/2019

ATTENTION SAN DIEGO EDUCATORS!!! The San Diego County Marine Protected Area (MPA) Collaborative and WILDCOAST will be hosting two teacher workshops in the coming weeks and you are invited! PLEASE SEE ATTACHED ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

11/15/2018

San Diego MPAs in the news! New MPA signage has been installed in the La Jolla region.

“These signs were installed to inform the public of rules and regulations and that there are special conservation areas just offshore," explained Wildcoast conservation coordinator Cory Pukini. La Jolla has four MPAs in the waters from Scripps Pier to Bird Rock.

10/09/2018

Make sure to check regulations before lobster diving in San Diego County. The take of lobster is prohibited in all San Diego County MPAs.

Wildlife officers from across Southern California participated in an enhanced patrol for opening weekend of the 2018 lobster season, which began on Sept. 29. The goal was to facilitate a safe and e…

10/03/2018

Big wave surfer Greg Long and Clif Bar advocating for clean water and ocean conservation in San Diego MPAs!