What MPAs Mean for Laguna

The small marine reserve at Heisler Park was replaced with a patchwork of MPAs that stretch along Laguna’s coast and extend from Crystal Cove to Dana Point. The largest and most protective MPA in Laguna is a marine reserve that extends south from the point at El Morro and then turns east and comes ashore at Aliso Creek, forming a triangular area where no fishing or take of any marine life is allowed. Just south of the marine reserve is a small no-take marine conservation area to accommodate the sewage outfall off Aliso Beach. That area is also a no-take zone and extends the no-fishing area down to Sea Cliff or 3rd Avenue in South Laguna and includes all of the beach and coastal zone at Table Rock. To the north and south of this zone are marine conservation areas that allow fishing but prohibit taking anything from the tide pools. The new regulations went into effect January 1, 2012 and will be reviewed every 5 years.

Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve and State Marine Conservation Areas

Crystal Cove SMCA
This MPA was designed primarily to protect the tide pools and kelp habitat in Newport Beach

The recreational take of finfish [subsection 632(a)(2)] by hook and line or by spearfishing [Section 1.76], and lobster and sea urchin is allowed.

The commercial take of coastal pelagic species [Section 1.39] by round haul net [Section 8750, Fish and Game Code], spiny lobster by trap, and sea urchin is allowed.

Take pursuant to activities authorized under subsection 632(b)(111)(C) is allowed.

Take of all living marine resources from inside tidepools is prohibited. For purposes of this section, tidepools are defined as the area encompassing the rocky pools that are filled with seawater due to retracting tides between the mean higher high tide line and the mean lower low tide line.

Public Safety. Public safety activities, including installation, maintenance and/or seasonal placement and removal of safety-related artificial structures, including but not limited to lifeguard towers, are allowed within any MPA classification pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department

Beach nourishment and other sediment management activities, and operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.

Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve
This MPA was designed to protect critical marine species and habitat in tide pools and off shore

Public Safety. Public safety activities, including installation, maintenance and/or seasonal placement and removal of safety-related artificial structures, including but not limited to lifeguard towers, are allowed within any MPA classification pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.

Laguna Beach SMCA
This MPA was designed to protect critical marine species and habitat in tide pools and off shore while allowing the operation of the Aliso Creek Outfall

Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except take pursuant to activities authorized under subsection 632(b)(113)(D).

Operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.

Operation and maintenance of artificial structures and facilities, beach grooming, maintenance dredging, habitat restoration inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.

Public Safety. Public safety activities, including installation, maintenance and/or seasonal placement and removal of safety-related artificial structures, including but not limited to lifeguard towers, are allowed within any MPA classification pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department

Dana Point SMCA
This MPA was designed primarily to protect the tide pools and kelp habitat in South Laguna Beach and Northern Dana Point.

Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except:

Only the following species may be taken recreationally below the mean lower low tide line only: finfish [subsection 632(a)(2)] by hook and line or by spearfishing [Section 1.76], and lobster and sea urchin.

The commercial take of coastal pelagic species [subsection 1.39] by round haul net [Section 8750, Fish and Game Code], and spiny lobster and sea urchin only is allowed.

Take pursuant to activities authorized under subsection 632(b)(113)(C) is allowed.

Operation and maintenance of artificial structures and facilities, beach grooming, maintenance dredging, and habitat restoration inside the conservation area is allowed pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.

Take of all living marine resources from inside tidepools is prohibited. For purposes of this section, tidepools are defined as the area encompassing the rocky pools that are filled with seawater due to retracting tides between the mean higher high tide line and the mean lower low tide line.

Public Safety. Public safety activities, including installation, maintenance and/or seasonal placement and removal of safety-related artificial structures, including but not limited to lifeguard towers, are allowed within any MPA classification pursuant to any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department