2026 Marine Protected Area Petition Results
2026 Marine Protected Area Petition Results
California Fish and Game Commission | October 14–16, 2026
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VCCFA Report to Members — (2023) MPA Petition Hearings
VCCFA Report to Members — (2023) MPA Petition Hearings
The Ventura County Commercial Fishermen's Association (VCCFA) is providing this report to summarize the California Fish and Game Commission's October 14–16, 2026 Marine Protected Area (MPA) petition hearings, with a focus on petitions directly affecting Ventura County's commercial fishing fleet and the fishing grounds of the Santa Barbara Channel and Channel Islands.
While this page focuses on our local fishing industry, VCCFA is also actively engaged in petitions affecting other regions of California, including neighboring areas of Southern and Central California. Throughout the process, VCCFA remained steadfast in advocating for commercial fishing opportunities, supporting proposals that would improve access to fishing grounds and opposing proposals that would impose additional restrictions on commercial fishing activities.
A consistent concern raised by VCCFA throughout the petition process was the lack of adequate socioeconomic and spatial displacement analyses, particularly for proposals seeking to expand existing marine protected areas or establish new fishing restrictions. Without sufficient information about the potential impacts on commercial fishermen, fishing-dependent businesses, and surrounding fishing grounds, VCCFA urged the Commission to deny proposals where these consequences had not been adequately evaluated.
Why We Are Publishing This Report
Following the Commission's hearings, there have been questions and some confusion regarding the decisions made and what those decisions mean for commercial fishermen.
VCCFA is publishing this initial recap to help clarify the Commission's actions, provide links to official hearing records, and keep our members informed.
Additional information and links outlining the next steps in the regulatory process will be added soon. In the meantime, this page provides a summary of the decisions affecting our local commercial fishing industry.
Please note: A Commission decision to advance an MPA petition does not mean that new fishing regulations have taken effect.
Ventura County & Santa Barbara Channel MPA Petition Results
Ventura County & Santa Barbara Channel MPA Petition Results
Urchin-Anacapa: Withdrawn by Petitioner October 14, 2026
Petition 2023-14MPA — WITHDRAWN
Petition 2023-14MPA — WITHDRAWN
October 14, 2026 | Agenda Item 26
Proposal: Allow commercial sea urchin harvesting in nine State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs), including Anacapa Island.
Commission Hearing Result: The California Sea Urchin Commission formally withdrew its petition following CDFW's reommendation against advancing the proposal.
Significance: Executive Director David Goldenberg raised concerns regarding the MPA review process, including insufficient socioeconomic evaluation, access to data, and stakeholder participation.
MPA Expansion Pt Dume: Advanced with modifications (4–1 vote) by FG Commission Oct 15, 2026
MPA Expansion South Point Santa Rosa Island: Denied (5-0 Vote) by FG Commission Oct 14, 2026
MPA Expansion Gull Island Santa Cruz Island: Denied (5-0 Vote) by FG Commission Oct 14, 2026
Petition 2023-33MPA_AM1 — PARTIALLY ADVANCED Pt. Dume Expansion
Petition 2023-33MPA_AM1 — PARTIALLY ADVANCED Pt. Dume Expansion
October 14–15, 2026 | Agenda Item 29
Proposal: Modify the boundaries and fishing regulations of four existing Marine Protected Areas, including South Point at Santa Rosa Island, Gull Island at Santa Cruz Island, Cabrillo, and Point Dume.
Commission Hearing Results:
South Point, Gull Island, and Cabrillo — DENIED (5-0) : On October 14, the Commission voted unanimously (5–0) to deny the proposed changes to these three areas.
Point Dume — ADVANCED WITH MODIFICATIONS (4-1): On October 14, the Commission voted 3–2 to advance the proposed Point Dume expansion following discussion about shore-based fishing allowances.
On October 15, the Commission revisited the issue and approved a clarified motion (4–1), allowing shore-based hook-and-line fishing only within the newly expanded area.
Significance to Ventura County Fishermen: The Commission declined to advance the proposed changes affecting South Point and Gull Island in the Channel Islands, while the Point Dume proposal moved forward with a specific shore-fishing allowance.
Important: Advancement of the Point Dume proposal does not mean the proposed regulatory changes have taken effect.
Official Hearing Record:
The footprint proposed by the petition as originally submitted is shown in light blue. The boundaries as modified by the first amendment are shown in light blue with a bright blue border. The boundaries as modified by the second amendment are shown with a bright blue hatched fill.
New MPA Misopshno (Carpinteria Reef) Approved (3-2 Vote) by FG Commission Oct 15, 2026
Petition 2023-29MPA_AM2 — APPROVED — Carpinteria Reef, proposed Mishopshno SMCA
Petition 2023-29MPA_AM2 — APPROVED — Carpinteria Reef, proposed Mishopshno SMCA
October 15, 2026 | Agenda Item 33
Proposal: Establish the approximately 9.05-square-mile Mishopshno State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) near Carpinteria Reef in the eastern Santa Barbara Channel, with specified recreational fishing allowances and tribal access provisions.
Commission Hearing Result — APPROVED (3–2): The California Fish and Game Commission voted to grant Petition 2023-29MPA_AM2, advancing the proposed Mishopshno SMCA for further regulatory consideration.
Significance to Ventura County Fishermen: The proposed MPA affects fishing grounds used by commercial and recreational fishermen operating in the Santa Barbara Channel. VCCFA has raised concerns regarding the potential displacement of fishing activity, economic impacts on fishermen and fishing-dependent businesses, and the lack of a comprehensive socioeconomic evaluation of the proposed closure.
Important: The Commission's decision to grant the petition does not mean new fishing restrictions have taken effect.
Top: Proposed elimination of the San Miguel Island Special Closure.
Bottom: Proposed changes to the Anacapa Island Special Closure, including access to Frenchy's Cove.
San Miguel and Anacapa Island(s) Modify Existing Special Closures Denied (4-0 Vote) by FG Commission Oct 16, 2026
Petition 2023-18MPA — (Actions 5–7) DENIED (4-0) — San Miguel & Anacapa Islands
Petition 2023-18MPA — (Actions 5–7) DENIED (4-0) — San Miguel & Anacapa Islands
October 16, 2026 | Agenda Item 36A
Proposal: Modify existing special closures at San Miguel and Anacapa Islands through three proposed actions:
Action 5 — San Miguel Island: Eliminate the existing pinniped special closure.
Action 6 — Anacapa Island: Reduce the brown pelican special closure to allow boat access to Frenchy's Cove.
Action 7 — Anacapa Island: Reassess and consider removing the prohibition on using nets or traps in waters less than 20 feet deep around Anacapa Island.
Commission Hearing Result — DENIED (4-0): On October 16, 2026, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously voted to deny Actions 5, 6, and 7 of Petition 2023-18MPA, consistent with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's recommendation.
Significance to Ventura County Fishermen: The Commission's decision leaves the existing special closure restrictions in place. Commercial fishermen will not gain the additional fishing access contemplated by these proposed changes, and the existing restrictions on nets and traps in shallow waters around Anacapa Island remain unchanged.
Important: This decision applies specifically to Actions 5–7. Actions 1–4 were considered separately on October 15.
Official Hearing Record: October 16, 2026 — 00:54:28–00:54:50.
Anacapa Island SMCA — Proposed Eelgrass Protection and Lobster-Trap Restrictions
Petition 2023-27MPA_AM1 — Denied (4–0) by the California Fish and Game Commission, October 16, 2026.
Petition 2023-27MPA_AM1 — DENIED (4–0) — Anacapa Island SMCA
Petition 2023-27MPA_AM1 — DENIED (4–0) — Anacapa Island SMCA
October 16, 2026 | Agenda Item 36B
Proposal: Modify existing protections within the Anacapa Island State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) to provide additional protection for eelgrass habitat. The petition proposed alternative approaches involving restrictions on lobster traps and potential changes to the depth restrictions associated with the Anacapa Island Special Closure.
Commission Hearing Result — DENIED (4–0): The California Fish and Game Commission denied Petition 2023-27MPA_AM1 during its October 16, 2026 hearing.
Significance to Ventura County Fishermen: The proposed changes could have restricted commercial lobster fishing operations around Anacapa Island, potentially affecting established fishing grounds and displacing fishing activity into surrounding areas. VCCFA opposed the petition due to concerns about impacts on commercial fishermen and the need for a more comprehensive evaluation of fishing activity, socioeconomic consequences, and potential displacement.
Important: The denial means the proposed additional restrictions will not advance through this petition. Existing fishing regulations and marine protected area boundaries remain in effect.
Official Hearing Record: October 16, 2026 — Agenda Item 36B, discussed before 01:38:24.
Reclassify three existing State Marine Reserves (SMRs) in the Santa Barbara Channel and Channel Islands region as State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs), potentially allowing additional fishing opportunities, including certain pelagic finfish fishing activities.
Petition 2023-15MPA_AM2. Denied (4–0) by the California Fish and Game Commission, October 16, 2026.
Petition 2023-15MPA_AM2 — DENIED (4–0)
Petition 2023-15MPA_AM2 — DENIED (4–0)
Footprint, Santa Barbara Island & Gull Island
Footprint, Santa Barbara Island & Gull Island
October 16, 2026 | Agenda Item 37A
Proposal: Reclassify three existing State Marine Reserves (SMRs) in the Santa Barbara Channel and Channel Islands region as State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs), potentially allowing additional fishing opportunities, including certain pelagic finfish fishing activities.
The three proposed actions concerned:
Action 1 — Footprint SMR: Reclassify the existing marine reserve to allow specified fishing activities.
Action 2 — Santa Barbara Island SMR: Reclassify the existing marine reserve to allow specified fishing activities.
Action 3 — Gull Island SMR: Reclassify the existing marine reserve to allow specified fishing activities.
Commission Hearing Result — DENIED (4–0): On October 16, 2026, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously voted to deny Actions 1, 2, and 3 of Petition 2023-15MPA_AM2.
Significance to Ventura County Fishermen: The petition sought to restore limited fishing opportunities within three existing marine reserves. The Commission's denial means these proposed changes will not advance, and the existing no-take protections remain in effect. The decision maintains current restrictions on commercial and recreational fishing within these areas.
Important: This decision does not create new fishing restrictions. It maintains the existing marine reserve classifications and regulations.
Official Hearing Record: October 16, 2026 — 01:27:44–01:28:35.
Stay Informed. Stay Involved. Support Commercial Fishing.
Stay Informed. Stay Involved. Support Commercial Fishing.
The Ventura County Commercial Fishermen's Association (VCCFA) encourages our members to keep fishing, stay engaged, and continue supporting the commercial fishing industry.
The decisions made during these hearings demonstrate why it is important for commercial fishermen to have a strong, organized voice in discussions that affect our fishing grounds, livelihoods, and working waterfronts.
There are several ways you can support VCCFA and our commercial fishing community:
Attend VCCFA meetings. Stay informed, share your concerns, and participate in discussions about issues affecting our industry.
Encourage fellow fishermen to join. Share VCCFA membership opportunities with other commercial fishermen who may benefit from having a collective voice.
Reach out to fishing-dependent businesses. Encourage businesses that rely on commercial fishing to become involved and support our efforts.
Help spread the word. Share VCCFA updates and information with others in our fishing community.
Members of the public are welcome to support VCCFA as Associate Members. You do not have to be a commercial fisherman to recognize the importance of maintaining a strong local commercial fishing industry.
Become a Member or Support VCCFA
Become a Member or Support VCCFA
Whether you're a commercial fisherman, a fishing-dependent business, or a member of the public who supports our working waterfronts, we invite you to get involved.
Visit the VCCFA Membership Page to learn more about membership opportunities and how you can support our efforts.
Together, we can continue advocating for commercial fishing opportunities and a sustainable future for Ventura County's commercial fishing fleet.
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