Research Areas > Regional Monitoring > Marine Protected Areas

Research Area: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

While there are a large variety of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the State of California, they are all designed for one purpose: to help protect marine life and the ocean environment from ecosystem impacts due to coastal development, water pollution, and other human activities. In southern California, there are 47 different MPAs. The type of protection can vary from physical habitat, to water quality, to restrictions on fishing. MPAs have taken on special meaning in recent years as a result of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), which mandates a cohesive network of MPAs to help California’s threatened marine ecosystems.

SCCWRP Research

SCCWRP research in MPAs has focused largely on Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS). ASBS are water-quality marine protected areas. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) states in their California Ocean Plan that absolutely no discharges of waste may occur in ASBS, in order to maintain natural water quality. Despite the regulation, SCCWRP research has identified nearly 1,700 separate discharges to ASBS statewide. The next step is to define "natural" water-quality conditions and determine how water quality in ASBS compares. Water-quality assessments are being conducted though a collaborative statewide monitoring program involving the SWRCB and more than 30 regulated agencies.

Projects under this SCCWRP research area include:

• Identification of Discharges in Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS)
• Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) Monitoring Program Development