North Coast MPA Region

	North Coast MPA Map (916K JPEG file)

The north coast region is the fourth and final coastal region to establish a network of MPAs. Within the region, 20 MPAs and 7 special closure areas were designated from the California/Oregon border in the north to Alder Creek near Point Arena in the south. The north coast additions include spectacular areas along California’s famously beautiful and remote Lost Coast. These MPAs represent approximately 137 square miles (13%) of state waters in the north coast region with approximately 51 square miles (5%) designated as "no take" state marine reserves. These MPAs were approved and adopted in June of 2012 and went into effect in December 2012.

• Fourth and final coastal MPA region to be implemented
• Consists of 20 MPAs and 7 special closures
• Represents approximately 137 square miles or 13% of state waters.
• State marine reserves cover approximately 51 square miles or 5% of the 137 square miles.
• Adopted in June and went into effect in December of 2012.
• Ranges from the California/Oregon border in the north to Alder Creek near Point Arena in the south
• Includes:
• 13 State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs)
• 6 State Marine Reserves (SMRs)
• 1 State Marine Recreational Management Area (SMRMA)
• 7 Special Closures

MPAs in the North Coast Region:

• Pyramid Point State Marine Cdonservation Area
• Point St. George Reef Offshore State Marine Conservation Area
• Reading Rock State Marine Conservation Area
• Reading Rock State Marine Reserve
• Samoa State Marine Conservation Area
• South Humboldt Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area
• South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve
• Mattole Canyon State Marine Reserve
• Sea Lion Gulch State Marine Reserve
• Big Flat State Marine Conservation Area
• Double Cone Rock State Marine Conservation Area
• Ten Mile State Marine Reserve
• Ten Mile Beach State Marine Conservation Area
• Ten Mile Estuary State Marine Conservation Area
• MacKerricher State Marine Conservation Area
• Point Cabrillo State Marine Reserve
• Russian Gulch State Marine Conservation Area
• Big River Estuary State Marine Conservation Area
• Van Damme State Marine Conservation Area
• Navarro River Estuary State Marine Conservation Area

Educational Resources:

• California Marine Protected Areas – Northern California Brochure – Department of Fish and Wildlife (1M PDF file)
• Guide to the Northern California MPAs (3.7M PDF file)