What are MPA Petitions *History  *Current Status   *Key Players *VCCFA's Position *Partner Positions *What Can You Do

Current Status of California MPA Petitions

Where the Process Stands

Along with their normally scheduled meetings: The Commission is now holding regional public meetings across California to consider these petitions, including discussions in Central Coast, Northern California, and Southern California regions.

These meetings represent the most active phase of the process, where:

• Scientific findings are presented

• Stakeholder perspectives are heard

• The Commission begins shaping final decisions

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.

As of March 22, 2026, the California Fish and Game Commission’s current MPA petition process centers on 20 Marine Protected Area petitions that were originally submitted in November 2023, with some later amended in 2025. According to the Commission’s official status index, five petitions were already acted on in December 2024, while the remaining 15 petitions were referred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for evaluation. A granted petition does not mean the regulation has changed yet; it means the Commission approved that proposal for possible future rulemaking consideration.

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 (April 14) on the remaining 5 tribally led petitions in Bin 2.

How the Commission Is Reviewing the Petitions

At its October 2025 meeting, the Commission decided that future review of the MPA petitions and evaluations would be handled directly by the full Commission through regional, in-person, committee-style meetings. At its December 2025 meeting, it then added three 2026 meeting dates specifically for these MPA discussions. The goal is to review petitions region by region rather than all at once statewide.

Upcoming Meetings (CDFG)

April 14 Tribal Committee Agenda posted here 

April 15 and April 16 California Fish and Game Meeting Agenda Posted Here

2026 Regional MPA Meeting Schedule

The Commission’s official 2026 calendar shows three major MPA petition meetings now scheduled by region:

• April 21, 2026 — Del Norte through Monterey counties, in San Mateo 8 am San Mateo Elks Lodge 229 W. 20th Avenue San Mateo, CA 94403

• May 5–6, 2026 — San Luis Obispo through Santa Barbara counties, including the northern Channel Islands and Santa Barbara Island 8 am both days Hilton Garden Inn 6878 Hollister Avenue Goleta, CA 93117

• May 19, 2026 — Los Angeles through San Diego counties, including Santa Catalina Island, in San Clemente Holiday Inn Express 8 am 35 Via Pico Plaza San Clemente, CA 92672

Why the May 5–6 Meeting Matters for the Central Coast and Channel Islands

Commission staff specifically noted that the Santa Barbara area discussion was expected to require more than one day because of the number of petitioned actions in that region. For that reason, the Commission expanded the Central Coast/Santa Barbara regional discussion into a day-and-a-half meeting on May 5–6, 2026. For stakeholders in Ventura and Santa Barbara County waters, that makes this one of the most important meetings in the current process.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife submitted their evaluations and Recomendations on 10 of the 15 MPA Petitions in Bin 2

On March 20, 2026 The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) submitted thier Evaluation and Recommendations on Petitions.  DFW chose to divide the petitions into two categories, those that had Tribal and Non-Tribal componets.  The Non-Tribal Components (10 Petitions) had evaluations and recommendations submitted.  Based on the most recent evaluations released in March 2026, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has recommended denying all 10 of the controversial petitions to expand or alter Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the latest batch of reviews. The remaining 5 petitions (Tribal based) are still being evaluated The Department is waiting on guidance from the Commission’s Tribal Committee (April 14) on the remaining 5 tribally led petitions in Bin 2. CDFW plans to provide an update on the Tribally-led petitions at the Tribal Committee meeting on April 14, 2026.

CA Department of Fish and Wildlifes' Two categories: Non-Tribal Led and Tribal Led 15 MPA Petitions

Read The CDFW Letter to CFGC (Memorandom) Here 

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

Ocean Protection Council (OPC) Weighs in 

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) has now stepped into the MPA petition process, but in a policy input role—not as a decision-maker.  OPC sent a public letter to the California Fish and Game Commission on March 20, 2026 outlining its policy priorities. They confirmed they will: Provide formal policy input on specific petitions, Focus on: Climate resilience, Long-term durability of the MPA network, Tribal stewardship and co-management.  Their recommendations will: Complement CDFW’s scientific evaluation and be released ahead of Commission hearings in April–May 2026

Read OPC letter (Memorandum) to CFGC Here

Public Comments Are Still Part of the Record

The Commission’s February 10, 2026 status index includes links to compiled public comments for each of the 15 active petitions under CDFW review. Those comment files are updated following Commission meetings and are part of the public record that commissioners can review as the process moves forward. This means organized stakeholder input, coalition letters, and public testimony continue to matter. See What can you do to contribute for letter templates and addresses to send comments.

What Happens Next

The current phase is best understood as evaluation and discussion, not final resolution. The Commission is holding its 2026 regional meetings to review petition evaluations, discuss region-specific proposals, and hear public input. Any petition action that the Commission ultimately wants to move forward would still need to go through the normal rulemaking process before regulations are changed.

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

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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What are MPA Petitions *History  *Current Status   *Key Players *VCCFA's Position *Partner Positions *What Can You Do