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Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education
California's Marine Life Protection Act . . .
Protected areas are internationally recognized as a major tool in conserving species and ecosystems. They also provide a range of goods and services essential to sustainable use of natural resources. As a result, countries often have extensive systems of protected areas developed over many years. These systems vary considerably country to country, depending on national needs and priorities, and on differences in legislative, institutional and financial support.
In a marine environment, protected areas allow fish, invertebrates, sea mammals, and other creatures the ability to recover and prosper in the absence or reduction of human and industrial impacts.
Examples within California with which you may already be familiar include Tomales Bay State Marine Park, James V. Fitzgerald State Marine Park, Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, Painted Cave State Marine Conservation Area, and Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area.
In 1999, California signed into law the landmark Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), which directs the state to redesign its system of marine protected areas (MPAs) to increase its coherence and effectiveness in protecting the state's marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage, while improving recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems.
In 2004, a public-private partnership was formed to help the State of California implement the Marine Life Protection Act, using the best readily available science as well as the advice and assistance of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.
To help represent conservation interests, Christopher Chin, COARE's Executive Director, was appointed to the Regional Stakeholder Group for the North Central Coast process of the Marine Life Protection Act Intiative. Working in conjunction with groups like The Marine Mammal Center, Defenders of Wildlife, and National Resources Defense Council, COARE helped author and is supporting a unique proposed array of MPAs for California's North Central Coast.
Click here to learn how you can help!
For more information, please visit www.CalOceans.org.
To learn more about the Marine Life Protection Act, or the MLPA Initiative public meetings, please see www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/
To find out more about Package 4 and the other proposals, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/northcentralcoast.asp .
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