Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area
Encyclopedia
Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a marine protected area
that lies onshore from Fisk Mill Cove and south along Salt Point State Park
in Sonoma County on California
’s north central coast. The marine protected area covers 3.12 square miles. Salt Point SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except the recreational take of abalone and finfish.
in August 2009, during the second phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline.
The north central coast’s new marine protected areas were designed by local divers, fishermen,conservationists and scientists who comprised the North Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. Their job was to design a network of protected areas that would preserve sensitive sea life and habitats while enhancing recreation, study and education opportunities.
The north central coast marine protected areas took effect May 1, 2010.
Salt Point SMCA is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:
The SMCA provides continuous land-sea protection and management in waters adjacent to Salt Point State Park, protecting diverse habitats in a highly scenic and relatively remote area for both consumptive and non-consumptive recreational purposes.
Of historical interest is nearby Fort Ross State Historic Park
, the southernmost settlement in the Russian colonization of the North American continent that was established as an agricultural base to supply Alaska. It was the site of California's first windmills and shipbuilding, and Russian scientists were among the first to record California’s cultural and natural history.
Salt Point SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except the recreational take of abalone and finfish. However, California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean. Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.
Marine Protected Area
Marine Protected Areas, like any protected area, are regions in which human activity has been placed under some restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment, it's surrounding waters and the occupant ecosystems, and any cultural or historical resources that may require...
that lies onshore from Fisk Mill Cove and south along Salt Point State Park
Salt Point State Park
Salt Point State Park is a state park located at in Sonoma County, California, United States. The park covers on the coast of Northern California with of hiking trails and over six miles of a rough rocky coast line including Salt Point which protrudes into the Pacific Ocean. The park also...
in Sonoma County on California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
’s north central coast. The marine protected area covers 3.12 square miles. Salt Point SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except the recreational take of abalone and finfish.
History
Salt Point SMCA is one of 21 marine protected areas adopted by the California Department of Fish and GameCalifornia Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
in August 2009, during the second phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
Marine Life Protection Act
The Marine Life Protection Act was passed in 1999 and is part of the California Fish and Game Code. The MLPA requires California to reevaluate all existing marine protected areas and potentially design new MPAs that together function as a statewide network. The MLPA has clear guidance associated...
. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline.
The north central coast’s new marine protected areas were designed by local divers, fishermen,conservationists and scientists who comprised the North Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. Their job was to design a network of protected areas that would preserve sensitive sea life and habitats while enhancing recreation, study and education opportunities.
The north central coast marine protected areas took effect May 1, 2010.
Geography and natural features
Salt Point SMCA is a marine protected area that lies onshore from Fisk Mill Cove and south along Salt Point State Park in Sonoma County on California’s north central coast. Salt Point SMCA adjoins Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve at its southern boundary.Salt Point SMCA is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:
- 38°35.6′N 123°20.8′W
- 38°35.6′N 123°21.0′W
- 38°33.5′N 123°21.0′W and
- 38°33.5′N 123°18.91′W, except that Gerstle Cove is excluded.
Habitat and wildlife
Salt Point SMCA protects a complex rocky habitat which includes coves, kelp, wash rocks, shelves, walls, cobble and boulders as well as associated species like red abalone, red urchin and rockfish. Bull kelp thrives along this area and can grow up to ten inches per day as it reaches for sunlight at the ocean's surface.The SMCA provides continuous land-sea protection and management in waters adjacent to Salt Point State Park, protecting diverse habitats in a highly scenic and relatively remote area for both consumptive and non-consumptive recreational purposes.
Recreation and nearby attractions
Nearby Salt Point State Park features six miles of rugged coastline, free diving and SCUBA diving, 20 miles of hiking trails, pygmy forests, horseback riding and two campgrounds. Fisk Mill Cove is a day use area that offers stunning ocean views from Sentinel Rock and provides visitors with paved parking, picnic tables, small upright barbecues, restrooms, and drinking water. Stump Beach is another picnic area that also offers one of the few sandy beaches north of Jenner. Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve adjoins Salt Point State Park and features hiking trails through pristine forests of Douglas fir, tanoak, grand fir and rhododendrons.Of historical interest is nearby Fort Ross State Historic Park
Fort Ross State Historic Park
Fort Ross State Historic Park is a protected historic site in the U.S. state of California. It includes Fort Ross, the former Russian settlement, with the surrounding area comprising the immediate coastline and the native Coast Redwood forests extending inland.-Fort Ross:Fort Ross was founded by...
, the southernmost settlement in the Russian colonization of the North American continent that was established as an agricultural base to supply Alaska. It was the site of California's first windmills and shipbuilding, and Russian scientists were among the first to record California’s cultural and natural history.
Salt Point SMCA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except the recreational take of abalone and finfish. However, California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean. Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.