Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is amarine protected area inSan Diego onCalifornia’s south coast. It is part ofBatiquitos Lagoon, a coastal tidal wetland lying within the city limits ofCarlsbad, and adjacent toEncinitas.[1] The SMCA covers 2000 miles. It protectsmarine life by limiting the removal of marine wildlife from within its borders.
Batiquitos Lagoon SMCA prohibits take of all living marine resources except for take pursuant to operation and maintenance,habitat restoration, research and education, maintenance dredging and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area per any required federal, state and local permits, or activities pursuant to Section 630, or as otherwise authorized by the department. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the conservation area.[2]
Batiquitos Lagoon SMCA is one of 36 new marine protected areas adopted by theCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife in December, 2010 during the third phase of theMarine Life Protection Act Initiative. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline. The new marine protected areas were designated by local divers, fishermen, conservationists and scientists who comprised the South 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 south coast marine protected areas went into effect in 2012.
Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Conservation includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Batiquitos Lagoon eastward of theInterstate Highway 5 bridge, approximated by a line between the following two points:33°05.44′N117°18.12′W / 33.09067°N 117.30200°W /33.09067; -117.30200 (3rd corner) and33°05.46′N117°18.13′W / 33.09100°N 117.30217°W /33.09100; -117.30217 (4th corner).[2]
This area protects important estuarine habitat and associated species.
The coastline of Encinitas and nearby cities ofCardiff andSolana Beach offer ocean-view paths for bike riding. Swami’s beach connects with several miles of uninterrupted beaches, from theSan Elijo Lagoon inlet toSouth Carlsbad Beach jetty. The area is popular for walking and jogging. Nearby cities offer shops, boutiques, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and golfing.
As specified by the Marine Life Protection Act, select marine protected areas along California’s south coast are being monitored by scientists to track their effectiveness and learn more about ocean health. Similar studies in marine protected areas located off of theSanta Barbara Channel Islands have already detected gradual improvements in fish size and number.[3]
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