MARINE PROTECTED AREAS A

SAN DIEGO COUNTY GUIDE

BY MARIE DIAZ

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas of the ocean where human activities are restricted to protect the environment and marine life. MPAs aim to preserve entire ecosystems rather than single species. They can include nature reserves, underwater marine parks, and other areas that benefit fisheries, local economies, marine biodiversity, and public health. Regulations within these areas vary and may allow for or exclude research, fishing practices, recreational activities, or travel. By protecting a small percentage of our waters and providing a safe haven for keystone species, we can minimize extinction risks, reestablish ecosystem integrity, enhance productivity, and increase the diversity of life for the entire region.

Visiting MPAs in San Diego

San Diego County boasts 11 unique MPAs that cover a variety of landscapes and feature different levels of protection. We dive into three marine protected areas here.

The Future of MPAs in San Diego

In 2012, San Diego Coastkeeper helped establish MPAs throughout California. The organization continues to monitor and advocate for protected spaces, educate communities, clean up trash and pollution, and work with local fishermen to conserve these areas. MPAs ensure safe and sustainable seafood, cleaner waters, and better public health.

Visit sdcoastkeeper.org/marine-protected-areas for more information and a full list of San Diego County’s marine protected areas.

Batiquitos Lagoon

Before opening in 1996, only five fish species existed in the Batiquitos Lagoon. Over the years, MPA management focused on restoring tidal action to the lagoon and has since helped significantly increase the number and diversity of fish, now ranging up to 65 species. Lagoons provide critical breeding and nursery areas for a wide array of coastal fish, provide habitat and food for resident species, and serve as feeding areas for seasonal fish. Batiquitos Lagoon is a “No-Take” State Marine Conservation Area. Learn more on the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation website. » batiquitosfoundation.org

La Jolla Cove

Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve and San Diego-Scripps Coastal State Marine Conservation Area are adjacent marine protected areas just offshore the University of California, San Diego. They include La Jolla Cove and neighboring areas. These MPAs are near deepwater canyons, providing cold, nutrient-rich waters to many habitats like kelp forests, surfgrass beds, and rock reefs. This “underwater park” is home to many unique species, including leopard sharks, blue-banded gobies, garibaldi, nudibranchs, California spiny lobsters, sea lions, kelp bass, dolphins, and migrating whales. Matlahuayl comes from the Kumeyaay language and means “place of the caves.” Learn more on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

» wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/San-Diego-ScrippsCoastal-Matlahuayl

Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo State Marine Reserve extends off the Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma and includes a rocky intertidal area and an underwater kelp forest. This MPA is an excellent place to go tide pooling and observe colorful sea stars, mussels, sea urchins, anemones, shore crabs, and sluggish sea hares during low tide.

» nps.gov/cabr/index.htm

When observing animals in the tide pools

Avoid touching animals

Touching animals can cause damage and stress to them and could lead to personal injury.

Leave life where it is

Never remove animals, shells, or rocks from the tide pools. Observe them where they are and avoid turning over rocks.

Walk gently

Take care not to step on any plants or animals.

Check your local tide chart

Tides can rush in when we least expect them. Avoid danger by consulting a tide chart or an on-site expert.

For more tide pooling dos and don’ts, check out sdcoastkeeper.org/ blog/marine-conservation/tide-pool-do-s-and-don-ts.

Right: Tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument.