The SMCA prohibits take of all living marine resources except for take pursuant to habitat restoration, maintenance dredging and operation and maintenance of artificial structures is allowed inside the conservation area per any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.
The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline.
Their job was to design a network of protected areas that would preserve sensitive sea life and habitats while enhancing recreation, study and education opportunities.
It is a significant feeding and resting site for ducks and shorebirds including a myriad of heron and tern populations using the Pacific Flyway.
Similar studies in marine protected areas located off of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have already detected gradual improvements in fish size and number.