Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area is one of four smallmarine protected areas located near the cities ofMonterey andPacific Grove, at the southern end ofMonterey Bay on California’s central coast. The four areas together encompass 2.96 square miles (7.7 km2). Within SMCAs fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line and the commercial take of giant and bull kelp under certain conditions.[1]
The two State Marine Conservation Areas were established in September 2007 by theCalifornia Department of Fish & Game. They were two of 29 marine protected areas adopted during the first phase of theMarine Life Protection Act Initiative, which created a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline.[2]
Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area is located off the coast of theMonterey Peninsula, at the southern end ofMonterey Bay. It covers an area of .22 sq. miles (0.56 km²). The reserve is directly offshore from theMonterey Bay Aquarium andCannery Row.It was named forEdward F. Ricketts (1897–1948) who founded thePacific Biological Laboratories in Monterey. It is the easternmost of four marine protected areas bordering the Monterey Peninsula.
Edward F. Ricketts SMCA is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:[3]36°36.50′N121°53.37′W / 36.60833°N 121.88950°W /36.60833; -121.88950 (E corner Edward F. Ricketts SMCA),36°37.25′N121°53.78′W / 36.62083°N 121.89633°W /36.62083; -121.89633 (N corner Edward F. Ricketts SMCA), and36°37.10′N121°54.09′W / 36.61833°N 121.90150°W /36.61833; -121.90150 (W corner Edward F. Ricketts SMCA), then the mean high tide line along the coast back to the breakwater of Monterey Harbor.
TheLovers Point State Marine Reserve is adjacent to the west of Ricketts SMCA, and then beyond that the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area. It is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:[4]36°37.6′N121°54.91′W / 36.6267°N 121.91517°W /36.6267; -121.91517 (S corner Pacific Grove SMCA),36°37.6′N121°54.75′W / 36.6267°N 121.91250°W /36.6267; -121.91250 (E corner Pacific Grove SMCA),36°38.7′N121°55.4′W / 36.6450°N 121.9233°W /36.6450; -121.9233 (N angle corner Pacific Grove SMCA),36°38.9′N121°56.6′W / 36.6483°N 121.9433°W /36.6483; -121.9433 (NW corner Pacific Grove SMCA), and36°38.22′N121°56.15′W / 36.63700°N 121.93583°W /36.63700; -121.93583 (W coast Pacific Grove SMCA), then along to coast back to the first point.
Farther south and west is theAsilomar State Marine Reserve. All four areas are included within theMonterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The Monterey Peninsula includes extensivetidepools brimming with life. Its sandy beaches are used by puppingharbor seals, and densekelp beds offshore provide shelter forsea otters. SMCAs provide habitat for a variety of marine life, and includeskelp forest,beach, rockyintertidal, and soft and hard bottom.[5]
The natural beauty and ocean resources of the Monterey Peninsula draw millions of visitors from around the world each year, including more than 65,000 scuba divers drawn by the area’s easy access, variety of wildlife, and massive kelp forests.
In addition to diving and visiting the aquarium, people enjoy the Monterey Bay by kayaking, whale watching, charter fishing, and eating an array of locally sourced seafood restaurants.
California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean.[6] Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.
As specified by the Marine Life Protection Act, select marine protected areas along California’s central 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 the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have already detected gradual improvements in fish size and number.[7]Local scientific and educational institutions involved in the monitoring include theHopkins Marine Station *located between the two SMCAs), theMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), andMoss Landing Marine Laboratories. Research methods include hook-and-line sampling, scuba diver surveys, and the use ofRemote Operated Vehicle (ROV) submarines.