California's Marine Protected Areas Earn International Gold Standard Recognition

California's network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has been officially recognized as a global leader in ocean conservation, becoming the first nature network in the world accepted to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.

This international certification honors the most successful examples of biodiversity conservation worldwide – and California's 124 MPAs spanning our 1,100-mile coastline have earned that distinction.

What Makes California's MPAs Special

Just as state parks protect special places on land, MPAs safeguard California's diverse marine ecosystems – from sandy beaches and estuaries to kelp forests and underwater canyons. Covering 16% of state waters, about half of the MPA network consists of fully protected no-take marine reserves.

These protected areas were intentionally designed to function as an ecologically connected network, maintaining the flow of life between ecosystems. The results speak for themselves: the first Decadal Management Review completed in 2023 demonstrated that MPAs are delivering important ecological benefits, with more and larger marine life found within many MPAs compared to unprotected areas.

Benefits Beyond Conservation

MPAs aren't just good for ocean health – they support coastal communities and California's multi-billion dollar ocean economy. These protected waters provide world-class opportunities for surfing, diving, kayaking, and other recreational activities that draw visitors and residents alike.

Surfrider's Role in MPA Success

Surfrider Foundation played an integral role in the original Marine Life Protection Act process through stakeholder engagement and support. We've long advocated for MPAs to preserve recreational areas, protect coastal habitats from pollution and development, and restore ecosystems.

Today, our local chapters continue this work by providing outreach to ocean users and engaging them in stewardship efforts to ensure the long-term success of MPAs. Through Beach Cleanups, Blue Water Task Force water quality testing, and Climate Action Program restoration events in and adjacent to several MPAs across California, Surfrider volunteers are actively protecting these internationally recognized treasures.

A Collaborative Achievement

The Green List recognition represents the culmination of a seven-year evaluation process conducted by IUCN alongside an expert panel of Californians from diverse sectors including marine ecology, fishing, recreation, tourism, and resource management. The California Ocean Protection Council, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Fish and Game Commission worked together to demonstrate how the MPA network meets global standards for positive outcomes for both nature and people.

Looking Ahead

Adaptively managing California's MPAs to maintain strong protections – especially as our climate changes – is crucial to meeting the state's goal to conserve 30% of coastal waters by 2030. A key priority moving forward is enhancing engagement with California Native American tribes, who are increasingly partnering with the state to monitor and manage coastal waters within their ancestral territories.

This international recognition confirms what many of us already knew: California's Marine Protected Areas truly are the gold standard for marine conservation. As part of a worldwide community of conservation practice, California now has an opportunity to both lead on the global stage and learn from conservation efforts around the world.