[4] The Point Sur marine protected areas contain a wide diversity of habitats that support a range of fish, seabirds and invertebrate species.

The protected lee of Point Sur supports a large kelp bed that provides a shelter and nursery habitat to rockfish and other species.

[6]  Migrating birds shelter and nest on nearshore rocks, including gulls, cormorants, guillemots, ashy storm-petrels, Cassin’s auklet, and tufted puffins.

[7][8] Andrew Molera State Park, adjacent to Point Sur SMR, has miles of hiking trails and a primitive walk-in camp.

Similar studies in marine protected areas 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 Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) submarines.