Marine Protected Area (MPA)

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is working with various agencies and key partners in the Peninsula, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Los Angeles Marine Protected Area Collaborative Team to address issues, develop signage, and inform the community about the City’s two State Marine Conservation Areas: Point Vicente SMCA (No-Take) and Abalone Cove SMCA. CDFW recognized a significant increased take in tide pools in June 2020 and July 2020, from various public reports and field observations by Wardens inside and outside of MPA zones around the Peninsula, primarily in White Point, San Pedro, and Abalone Cove. There is a concern regarding the high activity, despite many individuals taking within legal limits, thereby causing undue stress in the tidepools and affecting long term sustainability of habitat. The public is encouraged to report violations 24/7 directly to CDFW by calling 1-888-334-2258 (1-888-334-CalTIP). 

Additionally, the public may see new signage installed at Pelican Cove, Terranea, and Abalone Cove to educate and inform on these special restrictions and permitted uses. Tidepools, generally located outside of the mean high tide line are within the jurisdiction of public state beaches, and therefore outside of the jurisdiction City of Rancho Palos Verdes Park Rangers enforcement authority. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes Open Space Management continues to monitor, educate, and report to California Department of Fish and Wildlife for any illegal poaching within the MPA zone, and for excessive poaching in other beaches and coastal areas within City property. For additional information on tide levels, visit NOAA's Tide Predictions webpage to identify low tide information to safely and responsibly explore the tidepools.

A reminder, per California Fishing regulations, a fishing license is required for anyone 16 years or older for any fishing except for fishing from a public fishing pier in ocean waters. For more information, and to obtain permits, visit CDFW Fishing Regulation Website.

For further information on Fishing Areas and MPA, click on the following resources:

A Guide to Fishing in and near Marine Protected Areas

California Department of Fish and Wildlife - Marine Region