Famosa Slough State Marine Conservation Area facts for kids
Famosa Slough State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) is a special protected area in San Diego, California. It's on the southern coast of California. This area includes a 25-acre wetland and a 12-acre natural channel. This channel connects to the San Diego River estuary.
The slough gets fresh rainwater from nearby areas. It also gets salty water from the estuary. The City of San Diego owns and takes care of this natural park. The SMCA covers about 0.03 square miles. It helps protect ocean life by limiting what people can take from its waters. Generally, you cannot remove any living sea creatures from the Famosa Slough SMCA. However, some activities like habitat repair or cleaning the area are allowed with special permits.
Contents
History of Famosa Slough
The Famosa Slough SMCA was created in December 2010. It was one of 36 new marine protected areas. The California Fish and Game Commission approved these areas. This happened during the third part of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative.
The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (MLPAI) is a big effort. It brings people together to create a network of protected areas. These areas are along California's coastline. Local divers, fishermen, and scientists helped design the new protected areas. They wanted to protect sensitive sea life and their homes. They also aimed to improve chances for fun activities, study, and learning. The new protected areas on the south coast officially started in 2012.
Where is Famosa Slough?
Famosa Slough SMCA is a marine protected area. It protects the waters of an estuary in San Diego County. An estuary is where a river meets the sea. This area is on California’s south coast.
The Famosa Slough SMCA includes the waters below the average high tide line. This is within the Famosa Slough estuary. It is south of the San Diego River channel. You can find it at these coordinates:
- 32°45.43′N 117°13.75′W / 32.75717°N 117.22917°W.
Animals and Plants of Famosa Slough
The Famosa Slough State Marine Reserve (SMR) was made to protect a 37-acre wetland. This wetland is in the city of San Diego. It is a great place for learning and recreation.
The slough is an important spot for many birds. Ducks and shorebirds use it for feeding and resting. Many types of herons and terns visit this area. They use the Pacific Flyway, which is a major bird migration route. A group of volunteers called the Friends of Famosa Slough helps care for the area. They lead nature walks and support scientific studies. They also hold regular clean-up parties. They work to remove plants that don't belong there.
Fun Activities at Famosa Slough
You cannot go fishing for fun at the Famosa Slough State Marine Conservation Area. However, it is a great place for birdwatching and enjoying nature. You can walk along the paths and observe the wildlife.
Studying the Ocean
Scientists are watching certain marine protected areas. This is part of the Marine Life Protection Act. They want to see how well these areas are working. They also want to learn more about the health of our oceans. Similar studies have been done near the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. These studies have shown that fish are getting bigger and there are more of them.
