Sea Lion Cove State Marine Conservation Area
Encyclopedia
Sea Lion Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a marine protected area
Marine Protected Area
Marine Protected Areas, like any protected area, are regions in which human activity has been placed under some restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment, it's surrounding waters and the occupant ecosystems, and any cultural or historical resources that may require...

 that lies onshore, just south of Point Arena in Mendocino County on California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

’s north central coast. The marine protected area covers 0.22 square miles. Sea Lion Cove SMCA prohibits the commercial and recreational take of invertebrates, algae and other plants, but allows the take of all other species.

History

Sea Lion Cove SMCA is one of 21 marine protected areas adopted by the California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...

 in August 2009, during the second phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
Marine Life Protection Act
The Marine Life Protection Act was passed in 1999 and is part of the California Fish and Game Code. The MLPA requires California to reevaluate all existing marine protected areas and potentially design new MPAs that together function as a statewide network. The MLPA has clear guidance associated...

. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline.

The north central coast’s new marine protected areas were designed by local divers, fishermen,conservationists and scientists who comprised the North Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. Their job was to design a network of protected areas that would preserve sensitive sea life and habitats while enhancing recreation, study and education opportunities.

The north central coast marine protected areas took effect May 1, 2010.

Geography and natural features

Sea Lion Cove SMCA is a marine protected area that lies onshore, just south of Point Arena in Mendocino County on California’s north central coast. This marine protected area adjoins the Point Arena State Marine Reserve & Point Arena State Marine Conservation Area
Point Arena State Marine Reserve & Point Arena State Marine Conservation Area
Point Arena State Marine Reserve and Point Arena State Marine Conservation Area are two adjoining marine protected areas that extend offshore of Point Arena in Mendocino County on California’s north central coast. The combined area of these marine protected areas is , with in the SMR and in...

 at its southern boundary.

Point Arena is a peninsula that extends ½ mile into the Pacific Ocean and is the site of the Point Arena Light
Point Arena Light
Point Arena Light is a lighthouse in Mendocino County, California, United States, two miles north of Point Arena, California. It is located approximately north of San Francisco in the Fort Point Group of lighthouses. The lighthouse features a small museum and giftshop...

. Arena Rock lies offshore. Manchester State Beach begins just north of Point Arena and extends for five miles and Schooner Gulch State Beach
Schooner Gulch State Beach
Schooner Gulch State Beach is a beach located in Mendocino County, California. It is located approximately 50 miles northwest of Santa Rosa. It offers a scenic spot along the Mendocino coast and a stunning perch for watching sunsets. Visitors to the beach come to surf, fish, and picnic.-References:...

 is three miles south of Point Arena.

The Sea Lion Cove SMCA is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:
  1. 38°56.40′N 123°43.82′W
  2. 38°56.40′N 123°44.00′W
  3. 38°55.79′N 123°44.00′W and
  4. 38°55.79′N 123°43.74′W.

Habitat and wildlife

Point Arena is one of the major upwelling zones along the West coast of the U.S., which means it is a source of nutrients for fish and wildlife.

An unusually scenic spot, Sea Lion Cove is an abalone
Abalone
Abalone , from aulón, are small to very large-sized edible sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Haliotidae and the genus Haliotis...

 nursery that also hosts many other invertebrate communities. Many of these populations have become vulnerable due to the recent opening of public access to this site. The Sea Lion Cove SMCA contributes to the protection of fragile abalone populations and the intertidal ecosystem.

Recreation and nearby attractions

Point Arena and Arena Rock are popular areas for divers. The Point Arena Lighthouse was first built in 1870, then rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake. The tower still holds the original Fresnel Lens, which casts a beam visible to ships 20 nautical miles (37 km) out to sea.

Manchester State Beach is the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Bodega Bay and is great for fishing and for witnessing impressive collections of giant driftwood logs. Visitors to Alder Creek or the Garcia River within Manchester can enjoy pods of harbor porpoises at play, spawning steelhead, and wintering waterfowl.

Schooner Gulch State Beach is three miles (5 km) south of Point Arena, where Schooner Gulch Road intersects State Highway 1. There are two trails, one leading to Schooner Gulch Beach, the other Bowling Ball Beach, and activities include surfing, fishing and picnicking.

Sea Lion Cove SMCA prohibits the commercial and recreational take of invertebrates, algae and other plants, but allows the take of all other species. California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean. Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.

Scientific monitoring

As specified by the Marine Life Protection Act, select marine protected areas along California’s central coast are being monitored by scientists to track their effectiveness and learn more about ocean health. Similar studies in marine protected areas located off of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have already detected gradual improvements in fish size and number.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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