Point Conception State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a marine protected area that extends offshore of Point Conception in Santa Barbara County on California’s south coast. The SMR covers 22.51 square miles. The SMR prohibits the take of all living marine resources.
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History
Point Conception SMR is one of 36 marine protected areas adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission in December, 2010 during the third phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline.
The south coast’s new marine protected areas were designed 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 January, 2012.
Geography and natural features
Point Conception SMR is a marine protected area that extends offshore of Point Conception in Santa Barbara County on California’s south coast. Point Conception is a peninsula that extends into the Pacific Ocean at the point where the Santa Barbara Channel meets the Pacific Ocean and is the site of the Point Conception Lighthouse.
Point Conception forms the boundary between central and southern California, and is sacred to the Chumash Indians.
The Point Conception SMR is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:
- 34°27.00′N 120°28.28′W
- 34°27.00′N 120°32.15′W thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
- 34°23.96′N 120°25.00′W and
- 34°27.19′N 120°25.00′W.
Habitat and wildlife
Point Conception SMR includes a major biogeographic boundary and is designed to protect key habitats including an upwelling zone, oil seeps, pinnacles, rocky reefs, kelp forest, deep rock, and harbor seal haulouts.
Recreation and nearby attractions
Wild and remote, Point Conception is bounded on the land side by private ranches and Vandenberg Air Force Base Thus, access is almost exclusively restricted to seaward boat approach. Here too, heavy local conditions including wind, surge and swell mean extreme caution and experience are necessary ingredients for a safe visit. The largest peacetime naval disaster occurred in 1923 off foggy and turbulent Pt. Conception when seven destroyers failed to negotiate the Point and were lost.
The area’s remoteness, however, presents a challenging wilderness experience when the weather cooperates. The Point Conception SMR abuts the remotest and most pristine end of the Gaviota Coast, one of the last undeveloped stretches of coastline in the U.S. Dense kelp forest and a mix of cold and warm water marine species will delight the advanced diver. Numerous shipwrecks, many uncharted, also occur here. Remote surfing spots, low-tide beach hiking (beware private property including patrolled military area) and viewing of newly arrived southern sea otters are also available. Again, this is a rough, remote area with little available assistance if trouble arises. Longer range SCUBA dive operations may be available.
Jalama Beach is the nearest coastal access to the north with Gaviota State Park the closest coastal access to the south.
Lompoc is the nearest town and source of food and entertainment. Lompoc boasts numerous eateries and modest outfitting services.
Point Conception SMR prohibits the take of all living marine resources. However, California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean. Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed.
Scientific monitoring
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 the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have already detected gradual improvements in fish size and number.