Lovers Point State Marine Reserve

[1] Lovers Point State Marine Reserve was established in September 2007 by the California Department of Fish & Game.

Its sandy beaches are used by pupping harbor seals, and dense kelp beds offshore provide shelter for sea otters.

The Lovers Point SMR provides habitat for a variety of marine life, and includes kelp forests, beaches, rocky intertidal zones, and soft and hard bottom underwater environments.

[2] The natural environment and ocean resources of the Monterey Peninsula draw millions of visitors from around the world each year, including more than 65,000 scuba divers drawn by the area’s easy access, wildlife, and kelp forests.

[citation needed] The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a tourist attraction featuring a 28-foot (8.5 m) living kelp forest.

Similar studies in marine protected areas located off of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have already detected gradual improvements in fish size and number.

Research methods include hook-and-line sampling, intertidal and scuba diver surveys, and the use of Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) submarines.