photo Robert Schwemmer

The California Fish and Game Commission established thirteen Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (sanctuary) in 2003 and 2007, respectively. These MPAs form a network that covers approximately 241 square nautical miles (or 318 square miles) and 21% of sanctuary waters . The network consists of 11 marine reserves where all take and fishing is prohibited, and two marine conservation areas that allow limited take of lobster and pelagic fish. The Channel Islands MPA network is designed to:

• Protect and restore habitats and ecosystems.
• Provide a refuge for all sea life.
• Provide reference areas for research and educational opportunities.
• Protect our nation's marine natural heritage for future generations.

	photo Robert Schwemmer

Network Effectiveness – The First Five Years (2003 to 2008)
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, California Department of Fish and Game, Channel Islands National Park and the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) at the University of California, Santa Barbara sponsored a public symposium on the first five years of monitoring, enforcement and education programs for the Channel Islands Marine Protected Area Network. For the report visit: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/channel_islands/fiveyears.asp

Maps
Map of the Channel Islands Marine Protected Area Network:
http://channelislands.noaa.gov/marineres/images/cinms-fullmpa.jpg

Interactive Educational Map of the Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas, including photos and videos:
http://www.cisanctuary.org/map-edu content/base_96.html