Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area

The Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area is an offshore marine protected area located one mile south of the Oregon border in Del Norte County, California.

Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area
LocationDel Norte County, California
DesignationState Marine Conservation Area
AuthorizedJune 2012
Governing bodyCalifornia Fish and Game Commission

This area protects ocean waters within three miles of the shoreline of the Oregon border, south to roughly three-tenths of a mile north of Prince Island.[1] Within Pyramid Point, fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except for the recreational take of surf smelt by dip net or Hawaiian type throw net.[2]

History

In June 2012, the California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously 3-to-0 to designate waters in Pyramid Point, along with critical ocean habits in northern California, as Marine Protected Areas.[3] The vote marked the completion of the United States’ first state network of underwater parks, protecting California coastal areas and important wildlife and habitats, which help the state’s tourism industry, hotels and restaurant that depend on healthy fish populations and beautiful coasts to attract guests.[4] According to the National Ocean Economics Program, California’s coast and ocean generate $22 billion in revenue and sustain 350,000 jobs each year.[5] The Pyramid Point Marine Conservation Area will be implemented on December 19, 2012, according to the California Department of Fish and Game.[6]

Geography

The California Department of Fish and Game said future marine protected area “is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:[7] 42° 00.000’ N. lat. 124° 12.735’ W. long.; 42° 00.000’ N. lat. 124° 19.814’ W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to 41° 57.500’ N. lat. 124° 17.101’ W. long.; and 41° 57.500’ N. lat. 124° 12.423’ W. long.

Habitat and wildlife

Pyramid Point will support Aleutian cackling geese and other breeding birds, including some of California’s only breeding fork-tailed storm petrels and tufted puffin.[8] The area is also home to breeding grounds for great blue heron, the black-crowned night-heron and the farthest north group of snowy egret in the western United States.[8] In addition, the area provides feeding ground for sea lions, dolphins and other large sea animals, and shelter for nearshore rockfish.[8]

Recreation and nearby attractions

Pyramid Point is connected to the Pelican State Beach, which is undeveloped and is immediately south of the Oregon border. Kite flying, shore angling and beach combing are popular activities at the park.

References
  1. Spencer, Adam (June 5, 2012). "Marine limits get final OK". Daily Triplicate. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  2. "North Coast Marine Protected Areas". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  3. "North Coast Marine Protected Areas Adopted in Final Coastal Region". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  4. "North Coast Marine Protected Areas Adopted in Final Coastal Region". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  5. "Ocean Protection is Economic Security" (PDF). California Coastkeeper Alliance. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  6. "North Coast Marine Protected Areas". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  7. "North Coast Marine Protected Area". California Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  8. "Final Environmental Impact Statement. Chapter 4: Biological Resources". California Department of Fish and Game. p. 62. Retrieved 19 November 2012.

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