ACTION ALERT: Send Comments & Attend 4/21 Meeting to Advocate for Strong Marine Protected Areas

There are several petitions to either strengthen or weaken the Marine Protected Area network that will be decided upon by the California Fish and Game Commission this Spring. In order to achieve 30×30 on our coastal waters and prepare our beloved coastline for current and emerging stressors, advocating for more and stronger MPAs is vital. See this Storymap of all the proposed Marine Protected Areas around the state.

Please consider attending one of the upcoming hearings to support proposed MPAs or the strengthening of existing MPAs in your region. There will also be the option to join these meetings on Zoom to make a comment in support. 

• April 21, 9 AM: North Coast petitions will be heard in a meeting in San Mateo

  • San Mateo Elks Lodge, 229 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403

  • See the meeting agenda HERE and instructions on how to join and comment virtually HERE

  • See suggested talking points regarding each petition being considered HERE

• May 5-6: Central Coast petitions will be heard in a meeting in Goleta

  • Hilton Garden Inn, 6878 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117

  • Closer to the meeting, agenda items can be found on the Fish and Game Commission website

• May 19: South Coast petitions will be heard in a meeting in San Clemente

  • Holiday Inn Express, 35 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente, CA 92672

  • Closer to the meeting, agenda items can be found on the Fish and Game Commission website

On April 21st, the California Fish & Game Commission (Commission) will be discussing petitions that were submitted to adaptively manage California’s marine protected areas on the North Coast. As climate change worsens and new science emerges, let the Commission know YOU support ocean conservation and adaptive management that will keep our renowned marine protected area network strong!

Additionally, the commission also held a Tribal Committee meeting on April 14 for an update and discussion on the five Tribally-led petitions.

To support MPAs, submit a written comment to the Commission by email at <fgc@fgc.ca.gov> or by mail at California Fish and Game Commission, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090. Please note the petition number in the subject (i.e., Petition No. 2023-21 Pyramid Point SMCA to no take with tribal exemption).

On June 17-18, the California Fish and Game Commission will meet for a final vote on the petitions.