Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area
Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve and Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation Area are two adjoining marine protected areas that lie offshore of San Luis Obispo County on California’s central coast. The combined area of these marine protected areas is. The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited. Within the SMCA fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore.
History
Piedras Blancas SMR and Piedras Blancas SMCA were established in September 2007 by the California Department of Fish & Game. They are two of 29 marine protected areas adopted during the first phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline.
Geography and natural features
These two marine protected areas adjoin each other off the coast of San Luis Obispo County. The Piedras Blancas SMR is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 35° 42.85’ N. lat. 121° 18.95’ W. long.; 35° 42.85’ N. lat. 121° 21.00’ W. long.; 35° 39.15’ N. lat. 121° 18.50’ W. long.; and 35° 39.15’ N. lat. 121° 14.45’ W. long. The Piedras Blancas SMCA is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted: 35° 42.85’ N. lat. 121° 21.00’ W. long.; 35° 42.85’ N. lat. 121° 22.85’ W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to 35° 39.15’ N. lat. 121° 20.90’ W. long.; 35° 39.15’ N. lat. 121° 18.50’ W. long.; and 35° 42.85’ N. lat. 121° 21.00’ W. long.
Habitat and wildlife
The Piedras Blancas marine protected areas encompass a rich nearshore, including extensive tidepools, two species of kelp, and both sandy and cobble beaches. Offshore, a high relief deepwater rocky structure attracts large forage fish populations and provides shelter for rockfish. These habitats support a particularly high diversity of birds and marine mammals including California sea lions, elephant seals, harbor seals, northern fur seals and sea otters. Historically this area was one of the most productive abalone beds in California. Many migratory whales most notably Gray Whales pass and rest through the area in annual seasons, and there had been a sighting of a North Pacific right whale, the most rare of large whales in the world in 1995.
Recreation and nearby attractions
, former home of William Randolph Hearst, is at nearby Hearst San Simeon State Historic Monument and offers visitor tours. The Piedras Blancas Light Station is an Outstanding Natural Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The lighthouse was built in 1875 and a Victorian dwelling was later completed. Tours are offered to the public. Piedreas Blancas is home to an important elephant seal rookery. is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating people about elephant seals and other marine life. California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean. Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.
