MLPA South Coast Closure Maps reconfigured for clarity by WON

BY PAUL LEBOWITZ

WON Staff Writer

Updated Dec 13, 2011

Now you can easily determine whether your favorite fishing spots are slated for closure. The maps focus on the MPA boundaries, zoomed in to show landmarks recognizable from the water.

Depending on how regulatory issues sort out, these closures are scheduled to go into effect on either Jan. 1 or Jan. 8, 2012.

Keep in mind that where we mention a landmark such as a street name, the boundary locations are approximate. Refer to the boundary descriptions for actual lat / lon numbers as provided by the DFG. You can plug those into your GPS for on-the-go mapping.

Unraveling the regulations is more complicated. State Marine Reserves (SMRs, shown in red on the maps) are easy; all fishing is prohibited, even catch and release. State Marine Conservation Area (SMCAs, shown in blue) regulations vary wildly. We'll break them out in simple terms to the extent possible. You'll want to review the regulations for yourself once they are available. These are the recreational regs only; for commercial regulations, check the web.

The more than two dozen maps below are arranged south to north, with Catalina bringing up the rear. Take note: Recently closed military safety areas at San Clemente Island are not shown, nor are the pre-existing Channel Islands MPAs. You can't fish there either.

Anglers who prefer an interactive look at the maps can go right to the internet source: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/scmpas_list.asp.

The map below is the SoCal overview, followed by specific area by area maps with land-based overlays so you can see the MPA borders.

ANGLERS: Here are the area by area MPAs with land references and specific restrictions information.

Tijuana River Mouth SMCA (above) - No fishing except for baitfish by dip net only. Extends from the border north to the foot of Seacoast Drive. The IB kelp directly opposite the pier is out of the closure, but some of the kelp farther inshore and south is included.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

32° 34.00' N. lat. 117° 07.98' W. long.;

32° 34.00' N. lat. 117° 09.00' W. long.;

32° 31.97' N. lat. 117° 09.00' W. long.; thence eastward along the U.S./Mexico Border to

32° 32.06' N. lat. 117° 07.48' W. long.

Cabrillo SMR, Pt Loma (above) - No fishing. The southern boundary extends roughly 1300 feet south of Pt Loma, and extends east roughly 1200 feet from the southern tip of point including the area just south of the lighthouse. The northern boundary is one cove south of the sewage treatment plant.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

32° 40.60' N. lat. 117° 14.82' W. long.;

32° 40.60' N. lat. 117° 15.00' W. long.;

32° 39.70' N. lat. 117° 15.00' W. long.;

32° 39.70' N. lat. 117° 14.30' W. long.; and

32° 40.00' N. lat. 117° 14.30' W. long.

La Jolla Area (overview map above) - The South La Jolla SMR and SMCA are to the south. Up north, the formerly well marked Scripps Ecological Reserve balloons into the new and larger Matlahuayl SMR, with the San Diego-Scripps Coastal SMCA perched above. Read on below for boundary maps and regulations.

South La Jolla SMR Southern Border (above)

Northern Border of La Jolla SMR (above) 

South La Jolla SMR and SMCA Cluster - SMR no fishing; SMCA some two miles offshore allows pelagic finfish and bonito by hook and line. The boundaries are roughly Palomar Ave (north) and Diamond St (south), with the Crystal Pier shown for perspective. On the north end, the MLPAI map shows Big Rock in the closed area just south of the boundary, and Windnsea in the clear just to the north.

SMR Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 16.781' W. long.;

32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.;

32° 47.945' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.; and

32° 47.945' N. lat. 117° 15.495' W. long.

SMCA Boundary Description

This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order

listed except where noted:

32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.;

32° 49.573' N. lat. 117° 20.528' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile

offshore boundary to

32° 47.945' N. lat. 117° 20.068' W. long.; and

32° 47.945' N. lat. 117° 19.000' W. long.

 Matlahuayl SMR, La Jolla (above)

San Diego-Scripps Coastal SMCA southern boundary (above) (you can take fin bait in the blue)

Matlahuayl SMR, La Jolla - No fishing. Western boundary extends north from Rocky Pt. The northern boundary is base of Scripps Pier. The San Diego-Scripps Coastal SMCA is directly north.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

32° 51.964' N. lat. 117° 15.233' W. long.;

32° 51.964' N. lat. 117° 16.400' W. long.; and

32° 51.067' N. lat. 117° 16.400' W. long.

San Diego-Scripps Coastal SMCA northern boundary (above)

San Diego-Scripps Coastal SMCA, La Jolla - No fishing except baitfish by hook and line. Southern boundary at base of Scripps Pier. Northern boundary is off the La Jolla Farms area, south of the Glider Port. Closed area includes Black's Beach.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

32° 53.000' N. lat. 117° 15.166' W. long.;

32° 53.000' N. lat. 117° 16.400' W. long.;

32° 51.964' N. lat. 117° 16.400' W. long.; and

32° 51.964' N. lat. 117° 15.233' W. long.

Swami's Encinitas  (overview below) 

Northern Boundary of Swami's SMCA (above)

Swami's SMCA, Encinitas - Shore fishing (any target) and spearfishing for pelagic finfish, bonito, and white seabass only. Southern boundary just south of San Elijo Lagoon. Northern boundary at Encinitas Blvd, Moonlight State Beach. The lagoon itself is a seperate no take SMCA, as is the nearby Batiquitos Lagoon east of the I-5.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed except where noted:

33° 02.900' N. lat. 117° 17.927' W. long.;

33° 02.900' N. lat. 117° 21.743' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile

offshore boundary to

33° 00.000' N. lat. 117° 20.398' W. long.; and

33° 00.000' N. lat. 117° 16.698' W. long., thence northward along the mean high tide line onshore boundary to

33° 00.962' N. lat. 117° 16.850' W. long.; and

33° 00.980' N. lat. 117° 16.857' W. long.

The Revised Laguna MPA Cluster (DFG overview map above) - This confusing mess of 4 linked MPAs is simple if you remember one thing. No fishing in the red / blue triangle that pokes out from the coast. The boundaries have changed. WON is working on detail maps - for now you're on your own.  

Dana Pt SMCA (southern blue strip): go fish but leave the tidepools alone...

Laguna Beach SMCA (triangle blue section in detail map): No fishing!

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

Revised boundaries:

33° 30.800' N. lat. 117 45.631' W. long.;
33° 30.800' N. lat. 117 49.200' W. long.;
33° 30.050' N. lat. 117 49.200' W. long.; and
33° 30.050' N. lat. 117 44.771' W. long.

Laguna Beach SMR (above, in red): No fishing.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

Revised boundaries:

33° 33.233' N. lat. 117 49.200' W. long.;
33° 30.800' N. lat. 117 49.200' W. long.; and
33° 30.800' N. lat. 117 45.631' W. long.

Crystal Cove SMCA (northern blue strip): fishing is not a crime, but taking from the tidepools will be a crime.

   Upper Newport Bay SMCA (above) - Fish by hook and line. Includes the upper bay north of the PCH bridge. Some swimming restrictions.

Boundary Description

This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Upper

Newport Bay northeastward of Pacific Coast Highway approximated by a line between the

following two points:

33° 37.02' N. lat. 117° 54.24' W. long.;

33° 37.02' N. lat. 117° 54.32' W. long.; and southwestward of Jamboree Road approximated

by a line between the following two points:

33° 39.07' N. lat. 117° 52.02' W. long.; and

33° 39.03' N. lat. 117° 52.01' W. long.

Boundary Description

This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within the Bolsa

Chica Basin estuary northeastward of the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge, approximated by a

straight line between the following two points:

33° 41.02' N. lat. 118° 02.15' W. long.; and

33° 40.98' N. lat. 118° 02.11' W. long.;

and southeastward of a straight line between the following two points:

33° 42.22' N. lat. 118° 03.17' W. long.; and

33° 42.19' N. lat. 118° 03.18' W. long.

 Palos Verdes Area (overview map above) - The Palos Verdes area is slated for the large Pt Vicente SMCA (no-take) to the west. The smaller Abalone Cove SMCA to the east prohibits hook and line fishing; some spearfishing and squid by dip net are allowed. Close-up boundary maps and regulations are below.

Abalone Cove SMCA, Palos Verdes (above) - No hook and line fishing. Spearfishing for pelagic finfish, bonito and white seabass. Squid ok by dip net only. The eastern boundary runs north-south along the western edge of Portuguese Pt. The western boundary is anchored by Long Pt. The map above shows the eastern boundary. 

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

33° 44.19' N. lat. 118° 23.80' W. long.;

33° 41.16' N. lat. 118° 23.80' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile

offshore boundary to

33° 40.85' N. lat. 118° 22.50' W. long.; and

33° 44.24' N. lat. 118° 22.50' W. long.

Pt Vicente SMCA, Palos Verdes - No fishing, no way, no how. The eastern boundary runs north-south from Long Pt. The northern boundary (shown above) is one minor point north of Pt Vincente.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed except where noted:

33° 44.80' N. lat. 118° 24.82' W. long.;

33° 44.80' N. lat. 118° 28.93' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile

offshore boundary to

33° 41.16' N. lat. 118° 23.80' W. long.; and

33° 44.19' N. lat. 118° 23.80' W. long.

 Pt Dume Area (overview map above) - Malibu's iconic Pt Dume, a mainstay spot for small boaters since time immemorial, is set for complete closure to hook and line fishing. The point itself is surrounded by the Pt Dume SMR. The Pt Dume SMCA to the west allows only limited spearfishing. Sorry Zuma surf-casters, the powers that be made no adjustments for you as they did down south. Close-up boundary maps and regulations are below.

Pt Dume SMR eastern boundary at Paradise Cove (above)

Pt Dume SMR / Pt Dume SMCA Boundary at Zuma Beach (above)

Pt Dume SMR, Malibu - No fishing. The eastern boundary runs north-south from Paradise Cove. The western boundary is at Westward Beach Rd / Zuma Beach entrance. The first map shows the eastern boundary; the second, the western, where the SMR meets the adjacent SMCA.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

34° 00.76' N. lat. 118° 49.20' W. long.;

33° 56.96' N. lat. 118° 49.20' W. long.; thence eastward along the three nautical mile offshore

boundary to

33° 57.06' N. lat. 118° 47.26' W. long.; and

34° 01.20' N. lat. 118° 47.26' W. long.

Pt Dume SMCA eastern boundary at Encinal Rd (above)

Pt Dume SMCA - No fishing except spearfishing for pelagic finfish, bonito and white seabass . The eastern boundary is at Westward Beach Rd / Zuma Beach entrance. The western boundary just east of Encinal Canyon Rd. La Piedra State Beach is open; El Matador is in the closed area.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

34° 02.28' N. lat. 118° 53.00' W. long.;

33° 59.14' N. lat. 118° 53.00' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile

offshore boundary to

33° 56.96' N. lat. 118° 49.20' W. long.; and

34° 00.76' N. lat. 118° 49.20' W. long.

 

Campus Pt SMCA (no take) eastern boundary (above).

Campus Pt SMCA western boundary (above).

Campus Pt SMCA, Santa Barbara area - No fishing of any kind. The nearby Goleta Slough SMCA prohibits fishing, boating, swimming, wading and diving. The eastern boundary runs north-south from Goleta Pt. The western is boundary just west of the Santa Barbara Shores County Park eastern boundary. The first map shows the eastern boundary and the Goleta Slough SMCA. The second shows the western boundary.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed except where noted:

34° 25.20' N. lat. 119° 53.60' W. long.;

34° 21.48' N. lat. 119° 53.60' W. long.; thence eastward along the three nautical mile offshore

boundary to

34° 21.21' N. lat. 119° 50.65' W. long.; and

34° 24.30' N. lat. 119° 50.65' W. long.

Naples SMCA eastern boundary (above).

Naples SMCA western boundary (above).

Naples SMCA, Santa Barbara area - Underwater only, spearfishing for pelagic finfish, bonito, white seabass and nothing else. The eastern boundary is near Eagle Creek; the western boundary is close to Dos Pueblos Canyon Rd. The first map shows the eastern boundary; the second the western.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

34° 26.51' N. lat. 119° 58.00' W. long.;

34° 25.00' N. lat. 119° 58.00' W. long.;

34° 25.00' N. lat. 119° 56.00' W. long.; and

34° 26.13' N. lat. 119° 56.00' W. long.

Kashtayit SMCA, Gaviota State Park (above) - Recreational finfish, invertebratesexcept rock scallops or mussels, and collection of giant kelp by hand are the only allowed takes.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

34° 28.13' N. lat. 120° 14.46' W. long.;

34° 27.30' N. lat. 120° 14.46' W. long.;

34° 27.30' N. lat. 120° 12.47' W. long.; and

34° 28.23' N. lat. 120° 12.47' W. long.

Pt Conception SMR eastern boundary (above).

Pt Conception SMR - No fishing. Eastern boundary near Cojo Road; the northern boundary runs west from Pt. Conception.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed except where noted:

34° 27.00' N. lat. 120° 28.28' W. long.;

34° 27.00' N. lat. 120° 32.15' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile

offshore boundary to

34° 23.96' N. lat. 120° 25.00' W. long.; and

34° 27.19' N. lat. 120° 25.00' W. long.

Catalina MPAs (overview above)

Long Pt SMR (above)

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order

listed except where noted:

33° 24.38' N. lat. 118° 21.98' W. long.;

33° 25.50' N. lat. 118° 21.98' W. long.;

33° 25.50' N. lat. 118° 24.00' W. long.; and

33° 25.11' N. lat. 118° 24.00' W. long.

Blue Cavern SMCA eastern boundary (above).

Blue Cavern SMCA western boundary near Two Harbors (above).

Blue Cavern SMCA - No fishing in the shoreward Blue Cavern SMCA. Empire Landing is roughly 2,800 feet east of the eastern boundary. The western boundary is just west of the now inaccurately named Fisherman's Cove and Bird Rock offshore. The first map shows the eastern boundary. The second shows the western, with Little Harbor visible at map left, and Bird Rock towards the top.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

33° 25.96' N. lat. 118° 27.00' W. long.;

33° 27.50' N. lat. 118° 27.00' W. long.;

33° 27.50' N. lat. 118° 29.30' W. long.; and

33° 26.64' N. lat. 118° 29.30' W. long.

Bird Rock SMCA - Hook and line and spearfishing ok for pelagic finfish and bonito; squid only by dip net. Follows same east-west borders as the Blue Cavern SMCA, adjacent to the south.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

33° 27.50' N. lat. 118° 27.00' W. long.;

33° 29.97' N. lat. 118° 27.00' W. long.; thence northwestward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to

33° 30.81' N. lat. 118° 29.30' W. long.; and

33° 27.50' N. lat. 118° 29.30' W. long.

Farnsworth Onshore SMCA eastern boundary (above).

Farnsworth Onshore SMCA northern boundary (above).

Farnsworth Onshore SMCA - Hook and line trolling for pelagic finfish and bonito is ok. Pelagic finfish include anchovy, barracuda, billfish, dorado, herring, jack mackerel, Pacific mackerel, salmon, sardine, blue shark, salmon shark, shortfin mako, threshers, swordfish, tuna and yellowtail. Spear divers can add white seabass to the list. Squid, but by dip net only. The first map shows the eastern boundary; the second, the northern.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

33° 21.00' N. lat. 118° 29.08' W. long.;

33° 21.00' N. lat. 118° 30.00' W. long.;

33° 19.00' N. lat. 118° 29.00' W. long.;

33° 19.00' N. lat. 118° 27.90' W. long.; and

33° 19.56' N. lat. 118° 27.90' W. long.

Farnsworth Offshore SMCA - Stop me if you've heard this one. Hook and line trolling for pelagic finfish and bonito is ok. See the species list above. Spear divers can shoot seabass. Squid, but by dip net only. The eastern boundary is one point east of China Pt. The northern boundary is approximately 2,700 ft south of Ben Weston Pt.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order

listed except where noted:

33° 21.00' N. lat. 118° 30.00' W. long.;

33° 21.00' N. lat. 118° 32.88' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore

boundary to

33° 19.00' N. lat. 118° 31.98' W. long.; and

33° 19.00' N. lat. 118° 29.00' W. long.

Lover's Cove SMCA and Casino Pt SMCA, Avalon (above) - Pier fishing only at Lover's Cove. On the map, Casino Pt is to the left, Love's Cove to the right.

Lover's Cove Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

33° 20.46' N. lat. 118° 18.90' W. long.;

33° 20.70' N. lat. 118° 18.90' W. long.; and

33° 20.70' N. lat. 118° 19.31' W. long.

Casino Pt Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the

following points in the order listed:

33° 20.90' N. lat. 118° 19.43' W. long.;

33° 20.90' N. lat. 118° 19.42' W. long.;

33° 20.92' N. lat. 118° 19.38' W. long.;

33° 20.95' N. lat. 118° 19.42' W. long.;

33° 20.97' N. lat. 118° 19.47' W. long.;

33° 21.00' N. lat. 118° 19.52' W. long.; and

33° 20.96' N. lat. 118° 19.56' W. long.

Arrowhead Pt to Lionhead Pt SMCA (not shown; north of Two Harbors) - Hook and line ok; no invertebrate take.

Boundary Description

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line to a distance of 1000 feet

seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline southeastward of a line connecting the following two points:

33° 28.660' N. lat. 118° 32.310' W. long.; and

33° 28.820' N. lat. 118° 32.310' W. long.

And northwestward of a line connecting the following two points:

33° 27.240' N. lat. 118° 29.900' W. long.; and

33° 27.170' N. lat. 118° 30.100' W. long.

Cat Harbor SMCA (not shown) - Cast your lines and lobster hoops. Recreational fishing is permitted. Boundaries include the entire harbor.

Boundary Description

This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line on the west side of

Catalina Island northward of a straight line connecting Pin Rock (33° 25.50' N. lat. 118° 30.28'

W. long.) and Cat Head Point (33° 25.32' N. lat. 118° 30.76' W. long.).

Begg Rock SMR (not shown) - No fishing within a 3 mile radius of this speck of rock far offshore.

Boundary Description

This area includes all state waters below the mean high tide line surrounding

Begg Rock, located in the vicinity of 33° 21.71' N. lat. 119° 41.76' W. long.