MLPA Summary

Originally passed into state law in 1999, the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) directs the state to design and manage a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in order to, among other things, protect marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage, as well as improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems that are subject to minimal human disturbace. The types of MPA designations used in the MLPA process are: state marine reserves, state marine parks and state marine conservation areas.

The goals of the MLPA are:

• To protect the natural diversity and abundance of marine life, and the structure, function, and integrity of marine ecosystems.
• To help sustain, conserve, and protect marine life populations, including those of economic value, and rebuild those that are depleted.
• To improve recreational, educational, and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems that are subject to minimal human disturbance, and to manage these uses in a manner consistent with protecting biodiversity.
• To protect marine natural heritage, including protection of representative and unique marine life habitats in California waters for their intrinsic value.
• To ensure that California's MPAs have clearly defined objectives, effective management measures, and adequate enforcement, and are based on sound scientific guidelines.

The MLPA can be found in Chapter 10.5 of the California Fish and Game Code, Sections 2850 to 2863 (Adobe Reader required).