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. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (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 CDFW has released evaluations and recommendations for 10 non-tribally led (CFGC Meeting April 15, 2026) in Bin 2 and 5 tribally led petitions (CFGC Meetings August 12, 2026).
The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) has released evaulauations and recomendations on 10 non-tribally led petitions and 5 tribally led petitions (CFGC Meeting Aug 12, 2026).
How the Commission Is Reviewing the Petitions
How the Commission Is Reviewing the Petitions
As of August 12, 2026 The Fish and Game Commission has officially accepted evaluations and recomendations from The Public, The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The commission will use this information to derive an ultimate decision in the remaining 15 MPA Petitions. (10 non-tribal sponsored and 5 tribal sponsored)
The 15 Petitions, Evaluations and Recomendations from CDFW and OPC in Bin 2 are:
(10 Non-Tribal Led):
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) [Nine SMCAs statewide (existing)]
CDFW Recomendation Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026 Deny all petition actions. View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Deny (link)
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: SMR, Gull Island SMR, and Santa Barbara Island SMR (existing)
CDFW Recomendation Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. Deny petition actions 2023-15MPA_1_AM2, 2023- 15MPA_2_AM2 and 2023-15MPA_3_AM2. View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Deny (link)
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 SMR and Bodega Head SMR (existing)
CDFW Recomendation Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Deny (link)
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 SMR, Kashtayit SMCA, and San Miguel and Anacapa Island Special Closures (existing)
CDFW Recomendation Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Deny (link)
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 Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Deny (link)
2023-24MPA-AM: Expand Boundaries of Laguna Beach No-take SMCA: Mike Beanan, Laguna Bluebelt Coalition
Affected MPAs: Laguna Beach NoTake SMCA and Dana Point SMCA (existing)
CDFW Recomendation Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Deny (link)
2023-27MPA-AM: Modify regulations at Anacapa Island SMCA to protect sensitive eelgrass habitats (with several options proposed): Azsha Hudson, Environmental Defense Center
Affected MPAs: Anacapa Island SMCA (existing)
CDFW Recomendation Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. Deny the petition, including all three options. View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Modify SMCA regulations to prohibit the deployment of lobster traps shallower than 50 feet (link)
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 (existing)
CDFW Recomendation Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Designate two new SMCAs to protect the northern and southern portions of Duxbury Reef, each with take regulations that protect intertidal seaweed and invertebrates while allowing for continuation of other existing shore and boat-based fishing (link)
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 Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. Deny 2023-33MPA_1-7. View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Approve proposed expansion of Point Dume SMCA, but deny proposed additional take allowance in Point Dume SMCA. Approve a smaller expansion of Point Conception SMR. Deny proposed expansion of Natural Bridges SMR, Cabrillo SMR, South Point SMR, or Gull Island SMR. Deny proposed designation of a new SMCA at Pleasure Point. (link)
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 SMCA, Farnsworth Onshore and Offshore SMCAs (existing)
CDFW Recomendation Presented to the CFGC April 15, 2026. DENY View CDFW Evaluation and Recommendation
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Deny (link)
(5 Tribal Led):
2023-19MPA - Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: Designate a new Chitqawi SMCA in Morro Bay with a Tribal Exemption for SYBCI
Affected MPAs: Chitqawi SMCA (new)
CDFW Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the CFGC August 12, 2026. Presented to the FGC August 11, 2026. Click here to view
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Deny due to challenges associated with the location of the proposed SMCA; persue meaningful co-management with The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. (link)
2023-20MPA - Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: Add a tribal take exemption at Point Buchon SMCA, rename Point Buchon SMCA, and adjust northern boundary of Point Buchon SMR
Affected MPAs: Point Buchon SMCA and Point Buchon SMR (existing)
CDFW Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the CFGC August 12, 2026. Support with Alternative Pathway. Click here to view
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Approve tribal take exemption and renaming; deny proposed boundary change. (link)
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2023-21MPA - Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation: Remove Recreational Take of Smelt and Change the Boundary at Pyramid Point SMCA
Affected MPAs: Pyramid Point SMCA (existing)
CDFW Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Grant. CDFW recommends approving the removal of the allowance for recreational take of true smelt from Pyramid Point SMCA; and retaining the existing SMCA classification and the tribal exemption for Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation. Click here to view
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Approve proposed removal of recreational take of true smelt; deny proposed boundary change. (link)
2023-28MPA-AM - Northern Chumash Tribal Council: Add a new MPA near Point Sal
Affected MPAs: Point Sal SMCA (new)
CDFW Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Support with an Alternative Pathway the non-regulatory request to advance comanagement. Click here to view
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Approve the proposed new Point Sal SMCA. (link)
2023-29MPA-AM - Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: Designate a new SMCA near Mishopshno/Carpinteria with a Tribal Exemption for SYBCI
Affected MPAs: Mishopshno SMCA (new)
CDFW Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Support with an Alternative Pathway the non-regulatory request to advance comanagement with SYBCI. Click here to view
OPC Evaluation and Recomendation Presented to the FGC August 12, 2026. Approve the proposed new Mishopshno SMCA. (link)
Public Comments Are Still Part of the Record
Public Comments Are Still Part of the Record
Upcoming Meetings (CDFG)
Upcoming Meetings (CDFG)
August 12-13, 2026 California Fish and Game Commision Meeting [in Progress]
October 13,14-15,16 2026 California Fish and Game Commission Meetings [Decisions anticipated]
December 14, 2026 CFGC Tribal Committee Meeting
December 15-16, 2026 California Fish and Game Commission Meeting
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. The next FGC Meeting in October 2026 is an important meeting. As we get closer, we will have a clearer understanding of the timeline for decision making. It is anticipated in this 4 day long Commission Meeting the decisions will be made (based on comments from commisioners (CFGC) in Aug 12, 2026 meeting, and the length of the 4 day meeting.
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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