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The Fish and Game Commission will be meeting on May 19th to discuss and hear public comment on several items related to marine protected areas, including petition 2023-24MPA_AM1 which would expand the current marine protected area along Laguna Beach's coastline.
The Commission will not be voting at this meeting, but the day's discussion will be pivotal to their future decision.
The Commission needs to hear from you!
You can email (fgc@fgc.ca.gov) your comments to the Commission by 5pm this Monday, May 11th.
You can also join the meeting on May 19th via Zoom to make a public comment.
Please click on the agenda pictured above for full details.
From our friends at the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition, which is the group that filed the petition:
Laguna Beach is home to some of the most ecologically rich and visually stunning coves and shorelines in California. Much of the city’s coast is already safeguarded by the Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve (SMR) and the adjacent no-take State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA). However, a critical stretch of coastline in South Laguna -- from Table Rock to the southern city limits -- remains unprotected.
This section contains fragile kelp forest and rocky reef ecosystems, vital habitat for the Garibaldi (California’s state marine fish), spiny lobster, sea bass, abalone, and other marine mammals. Across California, kelp forests have declined sharply in the past decade due to warming waters, marine heatwaves, overgrazing by sea urchins, and human impacts. In South Laguna, lobster traps, boat anchoring, and fishing pressure damage the rocky seafloor that kelp needs to grow, slowing recovery.
Without stronger protections, these habitats are at risk of long-term loss.
Extending the SMCA boundary to the Southern City Limits Will:
Support ecological recovery: No-take MPAs are scientifically proven to increase the abundance, size, and diversity of marine species within their boundaries. This benefits adjacent non-protected areas through a spillover effect.
Create a continuous protected coastline: A single, consistent no-take zone across all of Laguna Beach will eliminate confusing patchwork rules, improving compliance and public understanding.
Simplify enforcement: Uniform boundaries will make it easier for lifeguards, wardens, and the public to follow and enforce MPA regulations.
Boost ecosystem resilience: Healthy kelp forests help buffer the coast against climate impacts, sequester carbon, and provide critical habitat for commercially and recreationally valuable species.
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