CDFW Releases Evaluation of MPA Petitions; OPC to Provide Policy Input in Coming Weeks

Greetings, 

Today, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released its evaluations and recommendations for 10 of 15 marine protected area (MPA) petitions under review. The petitions were received in December 2023 by the California Fish and Game Commission and in 2024 were referred to CDFW for evaluation and recommendation.  

The evaluations are available through CDFW’s MPA Petition Process StoryMap. CDFW plans to complete evaluations for the remaining five petitions, which are all tribally led or tribally co-led, upon receiving guidance from the Commission’s Tribal Committee at its April 14, 2025 meeting. 

In addition, today the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC), in its role as MPA policy lead, transmitted a letter to the Commission, with complementary input on the MPA proposals to adaptively manage California’s MPA network. Visit OPC’s website for further updates. 

The Commission has also launched a new MPA petitions process webpage with key links related to California’s MPA network and the ongoing MPA petition and evaluation process. The page is a work in progress, and additional information and materials will be added regularly. 

We encourage your participation in the upcoming regional Commission meetings focused on the MPA petitions, which may be attended in person or virtually. Meeting information can be found at https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2026. Written public comments may be submitted by following the instructions at the back of any Commission meeting agenda. 

Have questions? We’re here to help at fgc@fgc.ca.gov!