State legislation requires the development of a network of MPAs and reserves
The Marine Life Protection Act, signed into state law in 1999, requires California to design and manage a network of marine reserves and other marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect marine ecosystems and marine natural heritage. In 2004, the California Resources Agency used state and private funding to launch the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, which during its first phase implemented the Act along the central coast of California. The Initiative brought together 3 groups of volunteer advisors:
1) A Blue Ribbon Task Force of distinguished and knowledgeable public leaders guided the process and formulated a master plan.
2) Groups of stakeholders identified regional goals and created different possible designs for the MPA network.
3) A Science Advisory Team provided scientific information, developed guidelines for MPA design to meet goals set by law, and evaluated proposed MPAs in terms of scientific guidelines and potential socioeconomic impacts. The scientists presented information about marine science to provide all participants with a scientific foundation for decision-making.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force encouraged the stakeholders to adhere to the Science Advisory Team's guidelines for MPA design. In an iterative process, the stakeholders developed potential designs for an MPA network, and the scientists recommended adjustments based on the scientific criteria. The state regulatory agency decided to implement 29 marine protected areas along the state's central coast. These protected areas include 14 marine reserves that cover 7.5 percent of waters within 3 miles of the coast.
Choose another case study
