In the early morning light off California’s Channel Islands, strands of kelp sway gracefully, as fish and sea lions move between the golden fronds, creating a scene of abundance. This dynamic ecosystem thrives due to over two decades of protection within one of the oldest marine reserves in the state. These reserves reflect California’s commitment to preserving its marine biodiversity.
However, life faces a starkly different outlook in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. The Trump administration’s decision to reopen 500,000 square miles of previously protected waters to commercial fishing marked a significant rollback of federal ocean protections. Meanwhile, California is contemplating an alternative approach. As the state conducts its inaugural 10-year review of the marine protected area (MPA) network, officials, scientists, tribal leaders, and environmental advocates are advocating not only for the continuation of these protections but also for their expansion.
Douglas McCauley, director of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Barbara, describes these areas as “underwater Yellowstone.” He emphasizes the dual benefits they offer: safeguarding biological heritage and fostering a profitable tourism industry, as people are drawn to witness the vibrant marine life.
California’s marine protected areas have become magnets for scuba divers and snorkelers, drawn by thriving aquatic life. These reserves have a long-term domino effect, leading to healthier fish populations that eventually spill over into surrounding waters. Established in 2003, the network encompasses 124 distinct sections along the coastline, with some being “no-take” zones barring all fishing, while others allow limited use. Currently, the network spans about 16% of state waters, with proposals to increase this by 2%. The 1999 Marine Life Protection Act aimed to create a scientifically-grounded system to rehabilitate ecosystems following years of overfishing and habitat degradation.
The Channel Islands were among the pioneering sites established, with approximately 20% of their waters now under full protection. However, propositions to expand these protections have stirred debate among fishermen.
Blake Hermann, a fourth-generation commercial fisherman from Ventura County, harpoons swordfish around the Channel Islands. While supporting the marine protected network, he believes some closures overly restrict access. Hermann has urged the state to permit limited fishing within three no-take zones. According to Hermann, while protected areas help inshore species like sea bass and lobster recover, they provide limited benefits to migratory species like swordfish and tuna, which only briefly traverse through protected zones.
“There are smart ways to balance protection with access,” Hermann suggests, emphasizing the unique biodiversity of the islands. However, others voice concerns that reopening any part of the protected network might establish a worrying precedent, especially as climate change poses threats to ocean environments.
Sandy Aylesworth, director of the Pacific Initiative for the Natural Resources Defense Council, argues that enhancing protections would better equip California’s marine areas against future challenges, such as climate change and new ocean uses, benefiting all ocean users inclusive of both recreational and commercial fishermen.
Decisions from the review are anticipated early next year. Marine conservation is often contentious, as Craig Shuman from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife highlights: balancing protection with traditional fishing rights is challenging. The call from the fishing community isn’t universally for more access, but rather for preserving existing options.
The data largely supports the effectiveness of the MPA network, Shuman states. Each area varies, yet the overarching trend is a positive achievement of the network’s conservation goals. In contrast, the executive order from the Trump administration removed restrictions on fishing in waters previously protected under earlier presidencies. Supporters argue this enhances commercial fishing interests, but conservationists fear fishing could disrupt ecosystems housing diverse marine life.
Molly Morse from the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory underscores the importance of state-level expansions of protections in light of federal rollbacks. In protected waters off Anacapa Island, vibrant schools of sardines and anchovies engage seabirds and dolphins, while humpback whales feast from the depths. Beyond the protected zone, a sport fishing vessel drops its lines, exemplifying the vibrant yet delicate balance of use and protection in California’s coastal waters.
Even amid shipping activity, offshore drilling, and active fishing industries, McCauley observes, California maintains areas of untamed wilderness. It illustrates a landscape where diverse stakeholders extract value while preserving ecological integrity.