Cambria State Marine Conservation Area
Encyclopedia
Cambria State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a marine protected area
located off the coast of the city of Cambria, California
on California’s central coast in San Luis Obispo County, California
. The marine protected area covers 6.26 square miles (16.2 km²). Within the SMCA recreational fishing and take is allowed while commercial fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited.
Initiative. The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (or MLPAI) is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline.
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This marine protected area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight
lines connecting the following points in the order listed :
provides scenic and recreational opportunities for year round visitors. Hiking, fishing, surfing and whale watching are among these opportunities. There are two campgrounds within the park, one primitive.
Hearst Castle
, former home of William Randolph Hearst, is at nearby Hearst San Simeon State Historic Monument and offers visitor tours.
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.
Local scientific and educational institutions involved in the monitoring include Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station, University of California Santa Cruz, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Research methods include hook-and-line sampling, intertidal and scuba diver surveys, and the use of Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) submarines.
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...
located off the coast of the city of Cambria, California
Cambria, California
Cambria is a seaside village located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the California State Route 1 . The name Cambria was settled upon in 1869 .It is a census-designated place in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States...
on California’s central coast in San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County is a county located along the Pacific Ocean in the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 census its population was 269,637, up from 246,681 at the 2000 census...
. The marine protected area covers 6.26 square miles (16.2 km²). Within the SMCA recreational fishing and take is allowed while commercial fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited.
History
Cambria State Marine Conservation Area was established in September 2007 by the California Department of Fish & Game. It was one of 29 marine protected areas adopted during the first phase of the Marine Life Protection ActMarine 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...
Initiative. The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (or MLPAI) is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline.
Geography and natural features
Cambria SMCA is located off the coast of Cambria and adjoins White Rock (Cambria) State Marine Conservation Area. The SMCA is offshore from San Simeon State ParkSan Simeon State Park
San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest units of the California State Park System. The coastal bluffs and promontories of the scenic park offer unobstructed views of the ocean and rocky shore...
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This marine protected area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight
lines connecting the following points in the order listed :
- 35°37.10′N 121°09.20′W
- 35°37.10′N 121°10.70′W
- 35°32.85′N 121°06.70′W and
- 35°32.85′N 121°05.85′W.
Habitat and wildlife
Key habitats protected within the SMCA include steelhead streams, kelp forest, rocky intertidal zone, sandy and cobble beach, reef and sandy bottom, pinnacles and offshore rocks. The area is home to various wildlife including sea otters and birds.Recreation and nearby attractions
The adjacent San Simeon State ParkSan Simeon State Park
San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest units of the California State Park System. The coastal bluffs and promontories of the scenic park offer unobstructed views of the ocean and rocky shore...
provides scenic and recreational opportunities for year round visitors. Hiking, fishing, surfing and whale watching are among these opportunities. There are two campgrounds within the park, one primitive.
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark mansion located on the Central Coast of California, United States. It was designed by architect Julia Morgan between 1919 and 1947 for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. In 1957, the Hearst Corporation donated the property to...
, former home of William Randolph Hearst, is at nearby Hearst San Simeon State Historic Monument and offers visitor tours.
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.Local scientific and educational institutions involved in the monitoring include Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station, University of California Santa Cruz, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Research methods include hook-and-line sampling, intertidal and scuba diver surveys, and the use of Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) submarines.