Zones in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

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Executive Summary

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is the largest marine protected area in

the United States, spanning nearly 400 miles of the California coastline and encompassing over

5,300 square miles (Fig. 1). The MBNMS is famous for its scenic coastline, beautiful beaches,

and diverse array of intertidal and subtidal plant and animal life. These characteristics make the

Sanctuary a popular location for both local inhabitants and tourists to engage in a variety of

commercial and recreational activities, such as boating, fishing, tidepooling, kayaking,

snorkeling and SCUBA diving. The MBNMS is also a nationally recognized center for marine

biological and oceanographic research, with over twenty research institutions located within a

few miles of the coastline. Such a high intensity of human activity within the Sanctuary can have

negative impacts on its sensitive physical and biological resources. Over the past century local,

State, and Federal agencies have attempted to protect these resources by designating areas (e.g.,

Marine Life Refuges, Dredge Material Disposal sites) in which human activities are controlled.

The purpose of this report is to identify and review these legislated areas and preliminarily

evaluate their effectiveness in protecting resources within the MBNMS.

The MBNMS contains 72 sites in which specific human activities, both commercial and

recreational, are either restricted or promoted (Fig. 1). For the purpose of this report, these sites

are grouped into 13 categories (Table 1) - hereafter referred to as marine zones - which can be

described as follows:

1) National Marine Sanctuary Zone. National Marine Sanctuaries are areas of special national

significance due to their resource and human-use values. Their designation is intended to

facilitate the coordinated and comprehensive conservation and management of the area. Zone

regulations serve to protect the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research,

educational, and esthetic resources in the area. Regulations restrict exploring for oil, gas, and

minerals, modifying the seafloor, attracting white sharks, altering the natural water quality,

and operating certain motorized vessels. The Sanctuary does not regulate commercial or

recreational fishing.

2) Jade Collection Zones. Jade collection zones are areas in which traditional small-scale

collection of loose jade is allowed in the MBNMS. Previous to the formation of jade

collection zones, all such collection was prohibited within the Sanctuary. Zone regulations

allow small-scale collection to support the local artisan industry while protecting the mineral

resources of the Sanctuary from degradation.

3) Dredge Material Disposal Zones. Dredge material disposal zones are areas specifically

designated as disposal sites for dredged material. Dredged material is sediment that has been

removed from the sea floor, by means of suction or scooping. Dredging is often conducted to

widen harbors and channels - therefore, the sediments can be contaminated with pollutants,

such as industrial chemicals, oil, and gasoline. Dredge material disposal zones allow the

disposal of certain types of dredge material while minimizing the possible negative impacts to

the marine environment.
Zones in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

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4) Restricted Overflight Zones. Restricted overflight zones are intertidal and subtidal areas over

which motorized aircraft are restricted from flying below 1000 feet (305 meters). These zones

often encompass areas with high densities of marine mammals or seabirds, such as pupping

grounds and nesting sites. Restricted overflight zones do allow overflight below 1000 feet in

cases of emergency, for law enforcement, and by the Department of Defense.

5) Motorized Personal Watercraft Zones. Motorized personal watercraft zones are areas

specifically designated for the recreational use of motorized personal watercraft (MPWC).

MPWC (e.g., jet skis) are motorized vessels that are less than 15 ft long, capable of exceeding

15 knots, and can carry only two or fewer people. The purpose of MPWC zones is to allow

this form of recreation while protecting nearshore marine life from disturbance or injury and

minimizing conflicts with other recreational users, such as SCUBA divers and kayakers.

6) Shark Attraction Prohibited Zones. Shark attraction prohibited zones are areas in which the

attraction of white sharks is prohibited. Attraction is defined as the conduct of any activity

that lures or may lure white sharks by using food, bait, chum, dyes, acoustics, or any other

means, except the mere presence of human beings (e.g., swimmers, divers, surfers, kayakers,

boaters). The purpose of zone regulations is to prevent the possible negative impacts of shark

baiting or attraction events, such as conflicts among various user groups and behavioral

changes in the attracted species (e.g., feeding and migration).

7) Military Zones. Military zones are areas of the Sanctuary in which military training operations

are routinely conducted by the Department of Defense. Information about military zones,

including the location of the zone and advisories to civilian users, are included on nautical and

aeronautical charts. The purpose of military zones is to allow military training while avoiding

interference from and harm to civilian vessels and aircraft.

8) Vessel Traffic Zones. Vessel traffic zones serve to manage large vessel traffic in such a way

as to maximize protection of the physical and biological resources of the surrounding waters

while allowing safe and efficient vessel operation. Vessel traffic zones apply primarily to the

following vessel types: tankers, hazmat ships, barges, and large commercial vessels (LCVs).

9) No Harvest Zones. No harvest zones are intertidal and subtidal areas in which it is unlawful to

take or possess any plants or animals. These areas are intended to provide habitat for the

permanent residence of local marine life and possibly to replenish surrounding areas.

Scientific research is allowed, and often encouraged, in no harvest zones because these areas

represent a more "natural" state that can be compared to adjacent exploited habitats. With the

appropriate permits, collection of plants or animals is allowed for the purpose of scientific

research. Often access to the site or activities within the site are limited to decrease the

potential negative impacts of ecotourism.
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Potential Future Zones

Limited Harvest Zones

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No Harvest Zones

Jade Collection Zone

Motorized Personal Watercraft Zones

Wildlife Enhancement & Protection Zones

Restricted Overflight Zones

Military Zones

Shark Attraction Prohibited Zone

Vessel Traffic Zones 20 0 20 40 60 Kilometers

36°00' 36°00'

36°30' 36°30'

37°00' 37°00'

37°30' 37°30'

38°00' 38°00'

38°30' 38°30'

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Zones in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

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FIGURE 1. Summary of zoning in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Zones in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

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Table 1. Total area and percent of MBNMS encompassed by each marine zones type (bold) and

by each site (italics). Sites are listed in order from north to south. N/A = not applicable;

these are designated points, not areas.

Name of Sites Area %

(km2 ) MBNMS

EXISTING ZONES

National Marine 13705.99

Sanctuary (MBNMS)

Jade Collection Zone 4.15 0.030

Dredge Material N/A N/A

Disposal SF-12 N/A N/A

SF-14 0.97 0.007

Beach Replenishment N/A N/A

Subtidal Disposal N/A N/A

Beach Decant N/A N/A

Restricted Overflight 1251.91 8.971

Site 1 - Coastline north of Point Santa Cruz 332.86 2.429

Site 2 - Offshore of Moss Landing 86.14 0.628

Site 3 - Elkhorn Slough 2.91 0.021

Site 4 - Coastline south of Carmel River 830.00 5.893

Motorized Personal 48.34 0.353

Watercraft Site 1 - Offshore of Pillar Point Harbor 2.15 0.016

Site 2 - Offshore of Santa Cruz Harbor 16.55 0.121

Site 3 - Offshore of Moss Landing Harbor 13.18 0.096

Site 4 - Offshore of Monterey Harbor 16.46 0.120

Shark Attraction 2036.87 14.861

Prohibited

Military 5220.79 38.091

"U1" Submerged Submarine Operating Area 210.29 1.534

"U2" Submerged Submarine Operating Area 181.85 1.327

"U5" Submerged Submarine Operating Area 704.67 5.141

Warning Area 285 3559.33 25.969

Naval Operating Area 138.64 1.012

Hunter Military Operations Area 426.00 3.108

Vessel Traffic∗ 5599.14 40.852

 

∗

 Area encompassed by lanes and approaches was estimated by calculating the area of the region between the eastern

most vessel track (LCV northbound track) and the Sanctuary boundary.
Zones in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

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Table 1 (con't). Total area and percent of MBNMS encompassed by each marine zones type

(bold) and by each site (italics). Sites are listed in order from north to south. N/A = not

applicable; these are designated points, not areas.

Name of Sites Area %

(km2 ) MBNMS

EXISTING ZONES

No Harvest+ 6.95 0.050

Hopkins Marine Life Refuge 0.33 0.002

Point Lobos Ecological Reserve 2.79 0.020

Point Lobos State Reserve 2.79 0.020

Big Creek MRPA Ecological Reserve 3.83 0.028

Limited Harvest+ 27.95 0.204

James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve 1.98 0.014

AÒo Nuevo State Reserve 2.04 0.015

Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve 5.90 0.043

Pacific Grove Marine Refuge 1.96 0.014

Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge 4.09 0.030

Carmel Bay Ecological Reserve 6.41 0.047

Julia Pfeiffer Burns Underwater Park 7.05 0.051

Recreational N/A N/A

Golden Gate National Recreation Area 5.35 0.039

State Beaches N/A N/A

Wildlife Enhancement 831.64 5.911

and Protection Moss Landing Wildlife Area 2.60 0.019

Elkhorn Slough NERR 5.90 0.043

California Sea Otter Game Refuge 823.14 5.849

Water Quality 82.98 0.605

Protection James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve ASBS 4.52 0.033

AÒo Nuevo Point and Island ASBS 54.84 0.400

PGMG Fish Refuge and Hopkins MLR ASBS 1.90 0.014

Carmel Bay ASBS 6.41 0.047

Point Lobos Ecological Reserve ASBS 2.79 0.020

Julia Pfeiffer Burns Underwater Park ASBS 7.05 0.051

Ocean Area Surrounding the Mouth of 5.47 0.040

 Salmon Creek ASBS

POTENTIAL FUTURE

ZONES

Limited Harvest Ed Ricketts Park 0.49 0.004

 

+

 Cumulative area of the zone type (bold) was calculated by summing the area of all sites (italicized) and subtracting

areas of overlap.
Zones in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

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10) Limited Harvest Zones. Limited harvest zones are intertidal and subtidal areas in which the

take of certain species of plants and animals is limited. For example, zone regulations may

protect all species of invertebrates and plants, but allow certain species of finfish to be taken

within the designated area. Limited harvest zones also include sites in which the harvesting of

plants or animals is limited to certain methods of take or during specific periods of time. For

example, zone regulations may allow the taking of finfish by hook and line only. Limited

harvest zones are intended to protect the natural resources of an area while allowing limited

use.

11) Recreational Zones. Recreational zones are intertidal and subtidal habitats specifically

designated to provide areas of open space for recreational uses, such as swimming, boating,

fishing, and picnicking. These sites have regulations that limit the degradation of natural

resources in order to maintain those resources for future enjoyment. The taking of plants and

animals is allowed within recreational zones with some limitations on species, numbers,

timing, and(or) method of take.

Table 2. Government agencies responsible for establishment, management, and number of sites

in each marine zone type.

Federal State Local Federal and Federal Federal, State State

International and State and Local And Local

EXISTING ZONES

National Marine Sanctuary 1

Jade Collection 1

Dredge Material Disposal 9

Restricted Overflight 4

Motorized Personal 4

Watercraft

Shark Attraction Prohibited 1

Military 6

Vessel Traffic 1

No Harvest 2 2

Limited Harvest 6 1

Recreational 22 1

Wildlife Enhancement 2 1

and Protection

Water Quality Protection 7

POTENTIAL FUTURE ZONES

Limited Harvest 1
Zones in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

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12) Wildlife Enhancement and Protection Zones. Wildlife enhancement and protection zones are

intertidal and subtidal areas that are established to minimize human disturbance to especially

sensitive wildlife populations and their habitats. Regulations governing access to the areas

are designed to protect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. The protected sites

often include bird nesting areas, marine mammal pupping grounds, and fish spawning and

nursery habitats. Restrictions on recreational access may include no-access buffer zones or

time periods. Research is often encouraged in wildlife enhancement and protection zones to

determine the population dynamics and habitat requirements of the target species.

13) Water Quality Protection Zones. Water quality protection zones are established to protect the

specified marine habitats from undesirable changes in water quality. The protected areas

serve as habitat for certain species or biological communities that are deemed especially

sensitive to changes in water quality.

A variety of federal, state, and local government agencies are responsible for establishing and

managing the 72 sites within the MBNMS (Table 2). Federal agencies, including the National

Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, are responsible for managing the zones that were created by

the formation of the MBNMS. These agencies appear to be effectively managing the national

marine sanctuary, dredge material disposal, jade collection, shark attraction prohibited, and

vessel traffic zones. Effective management of the motorized personal watercraft and restricted

overflight zones has been hampered by delays in regulation implementation due to lawsuits or

interagency disagreements.

Many of the zones managed by state and local agencies fall under the title "marine reserve".

Marine reserves have recently received attention due to their potential for: improving the status

of exploited species; protecting marine habitats from degradation; protecting biodiversity;

facilitating scientific research and fisheries management; and increasing ecotourism. However,

reserves must be well designed and managed to achieve this potential. A well designed and

managed reserve will have clearly defined goals, scientifically-based design, proper enforcement

of regulations, rigorous evaluation, and the potential for adaptive management. Based on these

criteria, few of the marine reserves in California are well designed or managed. Many sites

suffer from poorly defined goals, confusing regulations, lack of enforcement, and (or) no

scientific evaluation. However, a few sites in the MBNMS (e.g., Pt. Lobos State/Ecological

Reserve, Hopkins Marine Life Refuge, Big Creek MRPA Ecological Reserve) appear to be fairly

effective. Research to date suggests that these sites are achieving their purpose - to protect

marine plant and animal populations - at least for certain species. The success of these sites

appears to stem from community involvement and on-site enforcement and education.