California Commission Approves Two Proposed Marine Protected Areas
The California Fish & Game Commission has approved two proposals to create new marine protected areas off the Santa Barbara County coast, one near Point Sal and another off Carpinteria, which would prohibit boat fishing in designated ocean areas.
Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo, CA, October 19, 2026 —
The California Fish & Game Commission has approved two proposals to create marine protected areas off the Santa Barbara County coast. One proposed area is near Point Sal, and the other is off Carpinteria. The proposals would prohibit boat fishing in designated ocean areas.
The information provided does not specify when the commission approved the proposals or when the restrictions would take effect. It also does not give the boundaries or size of either area, or identify the specific ocean locations covered by the proposed fishing prohibitions.
The proposals concern two separate locations along the county’s coast. The available information does not describe the reason for establishing the areas, identify any organizations or individuals involved in developing the proposals, or state whether further steps are required before the restrictions take effect.
The stated restriction is on boat fishing within designated ocean areas. The summary does not clarify whether other fishing activities would be permitted or restricted, or provide details about how the rules would be enforced. It also does not include information about public comments, implementation dates, or any related changes to existing rules.
As a result, the reported decision establishes the general scope of the two proposals—their locations and the planned prohibition on boat fishing—but leaves key details about boundaries, timing and application unspecified. No additional outcomes or next steps were provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Evelyn Spence, South County Editor on www.noozhawk.com, see more information here.
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