A suite of new or modified marine protected areas (MPAs) will go into effect on Dec. 19, 2012 along California's north coast, from the California/Oregon border south to Alder Creek near Point Arena. Northern California MPAs are the last of the state's coastal protected areas to go into effect off California, and will complete the network from Oregon to Mexico.

Developed pursuant to the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), the northern California network includes 19 MPAs, one marine managed area, and seven special closures, covering approximately 137 square miles of state waters and 13 percent of the north coast region. The network will include four of the five pre-existing MPAs, with Punta Gorda State Marine Reserve no longer in effect as of Dec. 19.

A complete list of all north coast MPAs, including detailed regulations and maps, can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/ncmpas_list.asp.

DFG's MPA mobile website, located at www.dfg.ca.gov/m/MPA, will be updated to include the new MPAs on Dec. 19. The mobile website allows the public to use any web-enabled device to locate MPA boundaries and regulations by using an interactive map or searching by name, county or general area. A mobile device's GPS can also be used to find a person's current location relative to any MPA. In addition to the mobile website, boaters can view MPAs on nautical charts or other background maps by visiting MarineBIOS at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gis/viewer.asp, DFG's interactive online marine and coastal map viewer.

For more information on the northern California MPAs, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/ncmpas_list.aspor call DFG Environmental Scientist Elizabeth Pope at (707) 445-5301.