DANA POINT

The county has received a $90,000 state grant to protect and raise public awareness of the coastal ecological systems at the Dana Point Marine Life Refuge. The money was awarded through a program that makes offshore oil and gas royalties available to communities affected by offshore energy development.

Chris Potter, a spokesman for the Resources Agency of California, said half the funds will be used for sheriff’s deputy patrols at the refuge center. “Apparently they’ve had trouble with poachers and other activities in the Marine Life Refuge Center,” he said.

The rest will be used for signs at the center entrance to raise public awareness of the ecosystem’s fragile nature.