Help us protect California’s coast from new threats

California’s network of marine protected areas has been a success, but the work is far from done. Much of the protected network has larger and healthier marine life populations than comparable unprotected areas and serve as a refuge for wildlife against climate-fueled instability.

We need your voice to show that Californians from all over the state support this program and want to see its continued success.

Send a message to the Fish and Game Commission urging them to strengthen California’s marine protections.

Beams of sunlight filter through a kelp forest in Monterey Bay National Marine Monument.

Jon Anderson via NOAA, CC BY 4.0

California’s network of marine protected areas has been a success, but the work is far from done. Research shows the protected network has larger and healthier marine life populations than comparable unprotected areas and can serve as a refuge for wildlife against pressure from climate change, ocean industrialization, pollution, and ocean crowding.

We’re recommending two new marine protected areas and calling for ambitious ocean conservation actions to strengthen the existing network. These strategic, science-based changes will ensure the maximum impact and will protect the long term health of the entire network.

California’s coast is one of the state’s gems and preserving it for everyone—surfers, divers, beachgoers, recreational fishers, and so many others—is a critical goal. We need your voice to show that Californians from all over the state support this program and want to see its continued success.

CTA

Your Message

Subject Strengthen California’s marine protected area network

Dear California Fish and Game Commission:

Message Body

I urge you to strengthen California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. The existing protections are working to benefit the overall health of our ocean, but more is needed to ensure continued progress against multiple threats.

Research on the MPA network shows fish are larger and more abundant inside many of the protected areas, 16 of 20 that were analyzed had healthier populations than compared to unprotected areas, and the network overall had more coral, sponges, and other animals that are heavily associated with a thriving habitat. It’s clear that we’re seeing initial progress, but in order to unlock the full potential benefits of the network, we must protect the existing network and go further.

I urge you to add two new MPAs to the existing network: Point Sal State Marine Reserve and Mishopshno State Marine Conservation Area. These two areas are ecologically rich and would provide significant, science-backed benefits to the overall health of our marine areas. Mishopshno is strategically located in order to create greater connectivity for the whole network. In addition, they have historic cultural significance for the Chumash.

On top of creating these new MPAs, we must strengthen protections in the existing network. Restricting activities that are shown to be unduly harming the health of the network will ensure its longevity and availability as a resource to all.

I urge you to maintain California’s status as an ocean conservation champion, especially in the face of ocean industrialization, marine crowding, and climate change. The ocean is a dynamic, constantly changing system with a bevy of uncertainties, which necessitates the adaptive management of our MPAs to durably protect our marine resources.

Thank you.

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