Crystal Cove SMCA

GPS Boundary:

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33° 33.233′ N. lat. 117° 49.200′ W. long.;
33° 30.800′ N. lat. 117° 49.200′ W. long.; and
33° 30.800′ N. lat. 117° 45.631′ W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses:

  • Recreational Fishing:
    • Allowed Species: Finfish by hook and line or by spearfishing, and spiny lobster and sea urchin.
    • Prohibited Species: All other living marine resources EXCEPT those listed above. Take of all living marine resources from tidepools is prohibited.
  • Commercial Fishing:
    • Allowed Species: Sea urchin; spiny lobster by trap; and costal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat. Not more than five percent by weight of any commercial coastal pelagic species catch landed or possessed shall be other incidentally taken species.
    • Prohibited Species: All other living marine resources EXCEPT those listed above. Take of all living marine resources from tidepools is prohibited.
  • Definitions:
    • Finfish are defined as any species of bony fish or cartilaginous fish (sharks, skates and rays). Finfish do not include amphibians, invertebrates, plants or algae.
    • Coastal pelagic species means any of the following: northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus), and market squid (Loligo opalescens).
    • 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.

Effective as of: January 1, 2012

Educational Resources:

The mission of the California’s Marine Protected Areas Education and Outreach Initiative is to enhance MPA education through enduring partnerships to empower Californians to protect what they know and love.