What are MPA Petitions *History *Current Status *Key Players *VCCFA's Position *Partner Positions *What Can You Do
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Current Status of California MPA Petitions
Current Status of California MPA Petitions
Where the Process Stands
Where the Process Stands
Where We Are Now
Where We Are Now
Today, the MPA petition process stands at a critical decision point. With years of input, analysis, and engagement behind it, the Commission is now actively considering how California’s MPAs should be adjusted, improved, or maintained for the future.
For commercial fishermen and coastal communities, this process represents a rare opportunity to ensure that management decisions reflect both sound science and the realities of working waterfronts.
What Is Happening Now
What Is Happening Now
The process is now in an active review phase. CDFW has built a public MPA petition process resource that tracks the evaluations and recommendations tied to these petitions, and the Commission has linked directly to those materials as part of its current MPA information hub. The Commission’s latest MPA materials also state that CDFW has released evaluations and recommendations for 10 non-tribally led in Bin 2 and are waiting on guidance from the Commission’s Tribal Committee on the remaining 5 tribally led petitions in Bin 2.
How the Commission Is Reviewing the Petitions
How the Commission Is Reviewing the Petitions
Upcoming Meetings (CDFG)
Upcoming Meetings (CDFG)
June 17-18 Fish and Game Commission Meeting. Agenda posted Here There is no official mention of MPA Petition discussion, although there is reference to the appropriate place to speak on these would be item 3 (June 17) and item 27 (June 18). Evaluations and Recommendations COULD be submitted here from DFW and/or OPC.
August 11, 2026 CFGC Tribal Committee Meeting
August 12-13, 2026 California Fish and Game Commision Meeting
October 14-15, 2026 California Fish and Game Commission Meeting
December 14, 2026 CFGC Tribal Committee Meeting
December 15-16, 2026 California Fish and Game Commission Meeting
The 10 Petitions (Non-Tribal Led) in Bin 2 are:
2023-14MPA - Allow commercial sea urchin take in 9 MPAs statewide: David Goldenberg, Executive Director, California Sea Urchin Commission
Affected MPAs Sea Lion Cove, Stewarts Point, Salt Point, Double Cone Rock, Naples, Anacapa Island, Point Dume, Point Vicente, and Swami's State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs)
CDFW Recomendation Deny all petition actions. View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-15MPA-AM: Reclassify Footprint, Gull Island, and Santa Barbara Island SMRs to SMCAs to Allow Take of Highly Migratory Species: Blake Hermann
Affected MPAs Footprint SMR, Gull Island SMR, Santa Barbara Island SMR
CDFW Recomendation Deny petition actions 2023-15MPA_1_AM2, 2023- 15MPA_2_AM2 and 2023-15MPA_3_AM2. View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-16MPA: Reclassify Stewarts Point and Bodega Head SMRs to SMCAs to Allow Commercial Salmon Trolling: Richard Ogg, Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Marketing Association
Affected MPAs Stewarts Point and Bodega Head SMRs
CDFW Recomendation DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-18MPA: Modify Allowed Uses at Several Santa Barbara Channel MPAs and Special Closures: Vandenberg SMR, Kashtayit SMCA, and San Miguel and Anacapa Island Special Closures: Greg Helms, Ocean Conservancy
Affected MPAs Vandenberg and Point Conception SMRs, Kashtayit and Campus Point SMCAs, and San Miguel Island and Anacapa Island Special Closures
CDFW Recomendation DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-23MPA-AM: Modify Allowed Uses in Four Monterey Area MPAs, Create a New MPA, and Other Requests: Keith Rootsaert, Giant Giant Kelp Restoration
Affected MPAs Edward F. Ricketts, Pacific Grove Marine Gardens, and Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs) and Point Lobos State Marine Reserve (SMR), with other changes affecting MPAs not specified.
CDFW Recomendation DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-24MPA-AM: Expand Boundaries of Laguna Beach No-take SMCA: Mike Beanan, Laguna Bluebelt Coalition
Affected MPAs Laguna Beach No-Take and Dana Point State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCAs)
CDFW Recomendation DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-27MPA-AM: Amend Existing Anacapa Island SMCA or Special Closure to Protect Eelgrass: Azsha Hudson, Environmental Defense Center
Affected MPAs Anacapa Island State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) or Special Closure
CDFW Recomendation Deny the petition, including all three options. View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-32MPA: Reclassify Duxbury Reef SMCA to an SMR and Expand the Southern and Northern Boundaries: Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, Environmental Action Committee (EAC) of West Marin
Affected MPAs Duxbury Reef SMCA
CDFW Recomendation DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-33MPA-AM: Expand Boundaries of Cabrillo, Natural Bridges, Point Conception, South Point, and Gull Island SMRs, Point Dume SMCA, and Add a New SMCA at Pleasure Point: Laura Deehan, Environment California Research and Policy Center and Azul
Affected MPAs Cabrillo State Marine Reserve (SMR), Natural Bridges SMR, Point Conception SMR, South Point SMR, Gull Island SMR, Point Dume State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), and Pleasure Point SMCA (proposed new MPA)
CDFW Recomendation Deny 2023-33MPA_1-7. View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-34MPA: Reclassify Point Buchon SMCA to an SMR and Limit Allowable Uses at Farnsworth Onshore and Offshore SMCAs to Recreational Spearfishing: Laura Deehan, Environmental California Research and Policy Center and Azul
Affected MPAs Point Buchon State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), Farnsworth Onshore SMCA, Farnsworth Offshore SMCA
CDFW Recomendation DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
The 5 Remaining Petitions (Tribal Led) in Bin 2 are:
2023-19MPA - Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: Designate a new Chitqawi SMCA in Morro Bay with a Tribal Exemption for SYBCI
CDFW Recomendation TBD CDFW plans to provide an update on the Tribally-led petitions at the Tribal Committee meeting on April 14, 2026.
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-20MPA - Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: Change the Take and Add a Tribal Exemption at Point Buchon SMCA, Change the Boundary at Point Buchon SMR
CDFW Recomendation TBD CDFW plans to provide an update on the Tribally-led petitions at the Tribal Committee meeting on April 14, 2026.
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-21MPA - Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation: Remove Recreational Take of Smelt and Change the Boundary at Pyramid Point SMCA
CDFW Recomendation TBD CDFW plans to provide an update on the Tribally-led petitions at the Tribal Committee meeting on April 14, 2026.
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-28MPA-AM - Northern Chumash Tribal Council: Designate a new SMCA at Point Sal
CDFW Recomendation TBD CDFW plans to provide an update on the Tribally-led petitions at the Tribal Committee meeting on April 14, 2026.
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
2023-29MPA-AM - Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: Designate a new SMCA near Mishopshno/Carpinteria with a Tribal Exemption for SYBCI
CDFW Recomendation TBD CDFW plans to provide an update on the Tribally-led petitions at the Tribal Committee meeting on April 14, 2026.
OPC Recomendation TBD Expected 4/14/26 at Tribal Committee Meeting
Public Comments Are Still Part of the Record
Public Comments Are Still Part of the Record
The Commission’s meetings have pathways for comments on all issues and topics. If the MPA Petitions are not on the agenda. The appropriate place to make comment is in the public comment section (Items not appearing on the agenda). These public comments are typically available in the beginning and ending of the meetings.
You may still submit letters of opposition or support of MPA Petitions. See the Fish and Game Website for how to submit - or continue reading.
What Happens Next
What Happens Next
We are waiting to hear from The Fish and Game Commission for any expected dates of decisions. For now, the majority of stakeholders have chimed in in either letter form or verbal testimony. See above for additional comment availability. This page will be updated when we hear more from The Commission.
Why This Process Matters
Why This Process Matters
These petitions are not minor administrative items. They involve proposed changes to California’s MPA regulations and management program, including boundary changes, designation changes, take allowances, and other management adjustments affecting different parts of the coast. The outcome of this process could shape future access, conservation policy, enforcement priorities, and management of California’s marine resources for years to come.
Stay Informed
Stay Informed
For anyone following the future of California’s coastal fisheries, this is the key period to watch. The Fish and Game Commission is no longer treating these petitions as a distant procedural issue; it has moved them into a structured 2026 review process with regional meetings, CDFW evaluations, compiled public comments, and public-facing petition resources. Stakeholders who want to understand or influence the outcome should follow the Commission meeting schedule closely and review the petition materials for their region.
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