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Science & Medicine

Monitoring Southern California’s marine sanctuaries

Mike Sutton, left, head of the California Fish and Game Commission, pilots a single engine aircraft over the Port of Los Angeles on his way to Southern California's Marine Protected Areas around the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Point Dume. Flying with him is Ana Luisa Ahern of environmental group Heal the Bay.

Mike Sutton, left, head of the California Fish and Game Commission, pilots a single engine aircraft over the Port of Los Angeles on his way to Southern California’s Marine Protected Areas around the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Point Dume. Flying with him is Ana Luisa Ahern of environmental group Heal the Bay.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Two years after the creation of marine sanctuaries in more than 350 square miles of Southern California coastal waters, state wildlife officials and environmental groups say the restrictions on fishing are largely being obeyed.

Marine sanctuaries

Point Dume juts into the Pacific Ocean north of Malibu. The coastal waters off the point are among Southern California’s Marine Protected Areas.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Marine sanctuaries

California Fish and Game Commission President Mike Sutton pilots a single engine plane over the Marine Protected Areas around the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Point Dume.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Marine sanctuaries

The 1999 Marine Life Protection Act was aimed at curbing steep declines in fish and other sea creatures along the California coast, including Point Dume near Malibu.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Marine sanctuaries

The coastal waters around Malibu Lagoon are included in the marine sanctuaries protected by the state.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Marine sanctuaries

Restrictions of fishing apply to several areas off the Southern California coast, including the Palos Verdes Peninsula south of Redondo Beach.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Marine sanctuaries

The coastal waters off Point Vicente, left, and Terranea Hotel and Resort, right, are part of the Southern California Marine Protected Areas.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Marine sanctuaries

A visitor to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes looks out to sea in hopes of spotting migrating California gray whales in waters that are part of Southern California’s Marine Protected Areas.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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