page_title: Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area
hierarchical_section_title: Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area
caption_attribution_description: English: Spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus)
context_page_description: Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area is one of four adjoining marine protected areas off the coast of Orange County, CA, on California’s South Coast. By itself, the SMCA measures 3.45 square miles. The SMCA protects marine life by limiting the removal of marine wildlife from within its borders, including tide pools.
  Dana Point SMCA prohibits take of living marine resources except: only the following species may be taken recreationally below the mean lower low tide line only: finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, and lobster and sea urchin. The commercial take of coastal pelagic species by round haul net, and spiny lobster and sea urchin only is allowed.
  Dana Point's 7.5 miles of coastline consists of a myriad of marine habitats. Animals and plants suited to sandy beaches, rocky intertidal and kelp forest ecosystems abound here.
  Take pursuant to operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed per any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.
  Take of all living marine resources from inside tidepools is prohibited.
context_section_description: Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is one of four adjoining marine protected areas off the coast of Orange County, CA, on California’s South Coast. By itself, the SMCA measures 3.45 square miles. The SMCA protects marine life by limiting the removal of marine wildlife from within its borders, including tide pools.  
  Dana Point SMCA prohibits take of living marine resources except:  only the following species may be taken recreationally below the mean lower low tide line only: finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, and lobster and sea urchin.  The commercial take of coastal pelagic species by round haul net, and spiny lobster and sea urchin only is allowed.
  Dana Point's 7.5 miles of coastline consists of a myriad of marine habitats. Animals and plants suited to sandy beaches, rocky intertidal and kelp forest ecosystems abound here. 
  Take pursuant to operation and maintenance of artificial structures inside the conservation area is allowed per any required federal, state and local permits, or as otherwise authorized by the department.
  Take of all living marine resources from inside tidepools is prohibited. For purposes of this section, tidepools are defined as the area encompassing the rocky pools that are filled with seawater due to retracting tides between the mean higher high tide line and the mean lower low tide line.  Please see the following for official details on boundaries, regulations and other information:
caption: Spiny lobster
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