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Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve & Stewarts Point State Marine Conservation Area facts for kids
Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Stewarts Point State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two special ocean areas. They are like underwater parks located off the coast of Sonoma County in California. These areas stretch from Black Point to Fisk Mill Cove.
Together, these protected areas cover about 25 square miles of ocean. In the Stewarts Point SMR, it's against the rules to take any living thing from the ocean. It's a place where all marine life is completely safe. In the Stewarts Point SMCA, most marine life is also protected. However, people can enjoy some activities like fishing for finfish with a hook and line from the shore. They can also gather some marine plants (not sea palm) and invertebrates, or catch surf smelt with a beach net.
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History of the Protected Areas
Stewarts Point SMR and SMCA were created in August 2009. They are part of a bigger plan called the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. This plan helps create a network of protected ocean areas all along California's coastline.
Many different people helped design these areas. Local divers, fishermen, conservationists, and scientists worked together. Their goal was to protect sensitive ocean animals and their homes. They also wanted to make sure people could still enjoy the ocean for fun, learning, and study.
These new marine protected areas officially started on May 1, 2010.
Where are Stewarts Point Protected Areas?
Stewarts Point SMR and SMCA are next to each other. They are located along California's north central coast in Sonoma County. They stretch out into the ocean from about a mile south of Black Point all the way to Fisk Mill Cove.
These areas protect a unique part of the ocean. They include different kinds of underwater landscapes.
Ocean Homes and Animals
Stewarts Point SMR and SMCA protect a rocky underwater world. This includes hidden coves, swaying kelp forests, and large rocks. Many different creatures call this area home.
You might find animals like red abalone, red urchins, and various types of rockfish. The area also has parts where the ocean floor drops steeply. This creates a special environment for many species. These protected areas help keep the ocean healthy and beautiful for everyone.
Fun Things to Do Nearby
There are many exciting places to visit near Stewarts Point.
- Salt Point State Park: This park has six miles of rugged coastline. You can go free diving or SCUBA diving here. There are also 20 miles of hiking trails, tiny pygmy forests, and places for horseback riding. The park has two campgrounds if you want to stay overnight.
- Fisk Mill Cove: This is a great spot for a day trip. You can see amazing ocean views from Sentinel Rock. It has paved parking, picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms, and drinking water.
- Stump Beach: This picnic area is special because it has one of the few sandy beaches north of Jenner.
- Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve: This reserve is next to Salt Point State Park. It has hiking trails through beautiful forests filled with Douglas fir, tanoak, and rhododendron flowers.
You can also visit Fort Ross State Historic Park. This was once a Russian settlement. It was used to grow food for people in Alaska. It was also where California's first windmills and shipbuilding happened. Russian scientists here were among the first to write about California's nature and history.
Remember, in Stewarts Point SMR, you cannot take any living marine resources. In Stewarts Point SMCA, you can only take certain things from the shore. This includes some marine plants (not sea palm), marine invertebrates, and finfish by hook and line. You can also catch surf smelt with a beach net. California's marine protected areas want people to enjoy the ocean. Activities like kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are usually allowed.
How Scientists Study the Ocean
Scientists are watching certain marine protected areas along California's coast. 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 already shown good results. Scientists have seen that fish are getting bigger and there are more of them. This shows that protecting these ocean areas can really help marine life.