- This page was last modified on 17 June 2025, at 00:13. Suggest an edit.
Montara State Marine Reserve & Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area facts for kids
The Montara State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are special ocean areas in California. They are like underwater parks that help protect marine life. These two areas are next to each other, stretching along the coast from Montara to Pillar Point in San Mateo County.
Together, these protected areas cover about 18.42 square miles (47.71 square kilometers) of ocean. The Montara SMR is larger, covering 11.76 square miles (30.46 square kilometers). In the Montara SMR, it's against the rules to take any living thing from the ocean. This means no fishing, no collecting, nothing.
The Pillar Point SMCA has similar rules, but it allows a few types of fishing. People can fish for certain ocean fish (called pelagic finfish) using specific methods like trolling or seine nets. They can also catch Dungeness crab with traps and market squid using hand nets. These rules help balance protecting the ocean with allowing some traditional activities.
Contents
History of the Marine Protected Areas
These ocean protection areas, Montara SMR and Pillar Point SMCA, were created in August 2009. They are part of a bigger plan by the California Department of Fish and Game called the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. This plan aims to create a network of protected ocean areas all along California's coastline.
Local people helped design these special areas. Groups of divers, fishermen, conservationists, and scientists worked together. Their goal was to protect sensitive sea creatures and their homes. They also wanted to make sure people could still enjoy, study, and learn about the ocean.
The new marine protected areas along California's north central coast officially started on May 1, 2010.
Where are the Protected Areas Located?
The Montara State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are next to each other. They stretch from Montara to Pillar Point in San Mateo County, along California's central coast. Montara is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of San Francisco. Pillar Point is a piece of land that sticks out into the Pacific Ocean, a few miles north of Half Moon Bay.
The northern part of the Montara SMR includes a well-known area called the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. This reserve is famous for its amazing tide pools, which are now even more protected.
The exact boundaries of the Montara SMR are defined by the coastline and specific GPS points:
- 37°32.7′N 122°31′W / 37.5450°N 122.517°W
- 37°32.7′N 122°34.91′W / 37.5450°N 122.58183°W (then south along the three-nautical-mile offshore boundary to)
- 37°30′N 122°34.61′W / 37.500°N 122.57683°W
- 37°30′N 122°29.93′W / 37.500°N 122.49883°W
The Pillar Point SMCA's boundaries are also defined by the coastline and specific GPS points:
- 37°30′N 122°29.93′W / 37.500°N 122.49883°W
- 37°30′N 122°34.61′W / 37.500°N 122.57683°W (then south along the three-nautical-mile offshore boundary to)
- 37°28.33′N 122°33.47′W / 37.47217°N 122.55783°W
- 37°28.33′N 122°30.83′W / 37.47217°N 122.51383°W
- 37°29.18′N 122°30.36′W / 37.48633°N 122.50600°W
- 37°29.74′N 122°29.97′W / 37.49567°N 122.49950°W
Ocean Life and Habitats
The area around Moss Beach, which is inside the Montara SMR, is a very special place for ocean life. Its tide pools are full of different kinds of creatures. You can find many mussels, barnacles, colorful nudibranchs, starfish, and crabs living there.
The shallow waters near the shore have shale and granite reefs, which are like underwater rock formations. There are also beds of seagrass and tall forests of giant kelp. These different habitats provide homes for hundreds of marine species. You might see prickleback eels, various sharks, and rays. What's even more amazing is that six native species found here live nowhere else in the world!
Fun Activities and Nearby Places to Visit
Many people visit this area for fun and adventure. Big wave surfers from all over the world come to watch or ride the giant waves at "Mavericks" near Pillar Point.
Montara State Beach is a popular spot just north of the SMR. The famous tide pools at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve are also a big draw. With the creation of the Montara SMR, the waters around these tide pools are now even more protected.
The Point Montara Light Station is another interesting place to visit. It has a historic lighthouse that stands tall on the coast. Just north of there is Gray Whale Cove State Beach. From the bluffs above this sheltered cove, you can often spot gray whales swimming by.
While the Montara SMR does not allow taking any marine life, and Pillar Point SMCA has limited fishing, both areas encourage other fun activities. You can go kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming. These activities are a great way to explore and enjoy the ocean's beauty.
Studying the Ocean: Scientific Monitoring
Scientists are closely watching certain marine protected areas along California's central coast. This is part of the Marine Life Protection Act. They want to see how well these protected areas are working to keep the ocean healthy. They also want to learn more about marine life.
Similar studies have been done in protected areas near the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. These studies have already shown good results, with fish gradually becoming larger and more numerous. This shows that protecting these ocean areas can really make a difference!