Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area

Last updated
Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area
LocationDel Norte County, California
DesignationState Marine Conservation Area
AuthorizedJune 2012
Governing bodyCalifornia Fish and Game Commission

Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area is an offshore marine protected area located one mile south of the Oregon border in Del Norte County, California.

Contents

This area protects ocean waters within three miles of the shoreline of the Oregon border, south to roughly three-tenths of a mile north of Prince Island. [1] Within Pyramid Point, fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except for the recreational take of surf smelt by dip net or Hawaiian type throw net. [2]

History

In June 2012, the California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously 3-to-0 to designate waters in Pyramid Point, along with critical ocean habits in northern California, as Marine Protected Areas. [3] The vote marked the completion of the United States' first state network of underwater parks, protecting California coastal areas and important wildlife and habitats, which help the state's tourism industry, hotels and restaurant that depend on healthy fish populations and beautiful coasts to attract guests. [4] According to the National Ocean Economics Program, California's coast and ocean generate $22 billion in revenue and sustain 350,000 jobs each year. [5] The Pyramid Point Marine Conservation Area will be implemented on December 19, 2012, according to the California Department of Fish and Game. [6]

Geography

The California Department of Fish and Game said future marine protected area “is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: [7] 42° 00.000' N. lat. 124° 12.735' W. long.; 42° 00.000' N. lat. 124° 19.814' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to 41° 57.500' N. lat. 124° 17.101' W. long.; and 41° 57.500' N. lat. 124° 12.423' W. long.

Habitat and wildlife

Pyramid Point will support Aleutian cackling geese and other breeding birds, including some of California's only breeding fork-tailed storm petrels and tufted puffin. [8] The area is also home to breeding grounds for great blue heron, the black-crowned night-heron and the farthest north group of snowy egret in the western United States. [8] In addition, the area provides feeding ground for sea lions, dolphins and other large sea animals, and shelter for nearshore rockfish. [8]

Recreation and nearby attractions

Pyramid Point is connected to the Pelican State Beach, which is undeveloped and is immediately south of the Oregon border. Kite flying, shore angling and beach combing are popular activities at the park.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Año Nuevo State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected area off Californias central coast

Año Nuevo State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is one of two adjoining marine protected areas off the coast of San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties, on California’s central coast. The area is approximately 55 miles south of San Francisco. The SMCA is 11.07 square miles. Except for limited taking of giant kelp, all living marine resources are protected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected area in California

Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a marine protected area in Carmel Bay. Carmel Bay is adjacent to the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea and is near Monterey, on California’s central coast. The marine protected area covers 2.12 square miles. Recreational fishing of finfish and limited commercial taking of kelp is permitted within the SMCA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve</span> Marine protected area immediately west of Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a marine protected area located at the northern edge of Santa Cruz, California, approximately 75 miles (121 km) south of San Francisco. The SMR covers 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2). The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing or other removal of any living marine resource is prohibited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saunders Reef State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected area on Californias coast

Saunders Reef State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a marine protected area that extends offshore, just south of Schooner Gulch State Beach and north of Sail Rock in Mendocino County on California's north central coast. The marine protected area covers 9.35 square miles (24.2 km2). Saunders Reef SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except the commercial and recreational take of salmon by trolling and the commercial take of urchin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve & Stewarts Point State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected area in California

Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Stewarts Point State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two adjoining marine protected areas that extend offshore from about a mile south of Black Point to Fisk Mill Cove, in Sonoma County on California’s north central coast. The marine protected areas cover 25.22 square miles. Stewarts Point SMR prohibits the take of all living marine resources. Stewarts Point SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except recreational shore based take of marine aquatic plants, marine invertebrates, finfish by hook and line, surf smelt by beach net, and species authorized by Title 14 Section 28.80 by hand-held dip net.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area</span> Protected area in California, US

Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a marine protected area located about 1 mile (2 km) west of Bolinas in Marin County on California’s north central coast. This marine protected area covers 0.66 square miles (1.7 km2). Duxbury Reef SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except the recreational take of finfish from shore only and the recreational take of abalone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Arena State Marine Reserve & Point Arena State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected areas of California, United States

Point Arena State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Point Arena State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two adjoining marine protected areas that extend offshore of Point Arena in Mendocino County on California’s north central coast. The combined area of these marine protected areas is 11.11 square miles (28.8 km2), with 4.38 square miles (11.3 km2) in the SMR and 6.73 square miles (17.4 km2) in the SMCA. Point Arena SMR prohibits the take of all living marine resources. Point Arena SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except commercial and recreational salmon trolling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estero de Limantour State Marine Reserve & Drakes Estero State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine conservation area in California, United States

Estero de Limantour State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Drakes Estero State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two adjoining marine protected areas along the Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County on California’s north central coast. These marine protected areas cover a combined 4.04 square miles (10.5 km2), with 1.49 square miles (3.9 km2) in the SMR and 2.55 square miles (6.6 km2) in the SMCA. Drakes Estero SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources from Drakes Estero except the recreational take of clams and formerly the commercial aquaculture of shellfish pursuant to a disputed state water bottom lease and permit, which has been the subject of ongoing legal proceedings since 2012, when the lease was allowed to expire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Reyes State Marine Reserve & Point Reyes State Marine Conservation Area</span> Adjoining marine protected areas in California

Point Reyes State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Point Reyes State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two adjoining marine protected areas that extend offshore of Point Reyes Headlands and within Drakes Bay in Marin County on California’s north central coast. The combined area of these marine protected areas is 21.49 square miles, with 9.38 in the SMR, and 12.11 in the adjacent SMCA. Point Reyes SMR prohibits the take of all living marine resources. Point Reyes SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except the recreational and commercial take of Dungeness crab by pot and salmon by trolling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve</span> Marine protected area in Carmel Bay

Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a marine protected area in Carmel Bay including a unique underwater pinnacle formation with adjacent kelp forest, submarine canyon head, and surfgrass. Carmel Bay is adjacent to the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea and is near Monterey, on California's central coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected area in Californias central coast

Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is one of two adjoining marine protected areas off the coast of San Mateo County and Santa Cruz County, on California's central coast. The area is approximately 55 miles (89 km) south of San Francisco. The SMCA is 11.81 square miles (30.6 km2). Within the SMCA fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational take of giant kelp, squid, salmon, and other finfish, subject to various conditions. Also permitted is the commercial take of giant kelp, salmon, and squid, subject to various conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovers Point State Marine Reserve</span> Marine protected area

Lovers Point State Marine Reserve (SMR) is one of four small marine protected areas located near the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove, at the southern end of Monterey Bay on California’s central coast. The four MPAs together encompass 2.96 square miles (7.7 km2). The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected area in California

Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area is one of four small marine protected areas located near the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove, at the southern end of Monterey Bay on California’s central coast. The four MPAs together encompass 2.96 square miles (7.7 km2). Within the SMCA fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational take of finfish and the commercial take of giant and bull kelp by hand under certain conditions. According to the Frommer's guide, the Marine Gardens area is "renowned for ocean views, flowers, and tide-pool seaweed beds."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected areas in California

Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two adjoining marine protected areas that lie offshore of San Luis Obispo County on California’s central coast. The combined area of these marine protected areas is 19.68 square miles (51.0 km2). The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited. Within the SMCA fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Buchon State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area</span> Two adjoining marine protected areas

Point Buchon State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Point Buchon State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two adjoining marine protected areas that lie offshore Point Buchon in San Luis Obispo County on California's central coast. The combined area of these piip marine protected areas is 18.21 square miles (47.2 km2). The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing and take of any living marine resources is prohibited. Within the SMCA fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore.

Portuguese Ledge State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is an offshore marine protected area in Monterey Bay. Monterey Bay is on California's central coast with the city of Monterey at its south end and the city of Santa Cruz at its north end. The SMCA covers 10.9 square miles (28 km2). Within the SMCA fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of pelagic finfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vandenberg State Marine Reserve</span> Marine protected area in California

Vandenberg State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a marine protected area located offshore of Vandenberg Air Force Base, near the city of Lompoc on California's central coast. The marine protected area covers 32.84 square miles (85.1 km2). Vandenberg SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Rock (Cambria) State Marine Conservation Area</span> Marine protected area off the coast of Cambria, California

White Rock (Cambria) State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a marine protected area located off the coast of the city of Cambria, California on California’s central coast. The marine protected area covers 2.32 square miles (6.0 km2). Within the SMCA the take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial take of giant kelp and bull kelp under certain conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve</span> Offshore marine protected area located off Cape Mendocino, California

The South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve is an offshore marine protected area located off Cape Mendocino and the coastal town of Petrolia about 30 miles (48 km) south of Eureka. It marks California’s westernmost point. The area is one of the most undeveloped sections of the California coast, and its waters are homes to important bird and mammal species. Within the South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve, the take of all living marine resources is prohibited.

The Ten Mile State Marine Reserve, Ten Mile Beach State Marine Conservation Area and Ten Mile Estuary State Marine Conservation Area are located between Westport and Fort Bragg along the California coast north of San Francisco.

References

  1. ↑ Spencer, Adam (June 5, 2012). "Marine limits get final OK". Daily Triplicate. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "North Coast Marine Protected Areas". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  3. ↑ "North Coast Marine Protected Areas Adopted in Final Coastal Region". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "North Coast Marine Protected Areas Adopted in Final Coastal Region". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  5. ↑ "Ocean Protection is Economic Security" (PDF). California Coastkeeper Alliance. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  6. ↑ "North Coast Marine Protected Areas". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "North Coast Marine Protected Area". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 "Final Environmental Impact Statement. Chapter 4: Biological Resources". California Department of Fish and Game. p. 62. Retrieved 19 November 2012.

41°58′40″N124°13′40″W / 41.97778°N 124.22778°W / 41.97778; -124.22778

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.