Gov. Gavin Newsom announced California's first new marine protected areas in more than a decade, including expanded protections off Malibu's Point Dume, as the Trump administration pushes to open the state's coast to offshore oil drilling.
The California Fish and Game Commission approved the changes last week. They add about 15,000 acres of protected coastal waters and raise the share of the state's coastal waters under conservation to 22.2%. The state's goal is 30% by 2030.
The expanded Point Dume State Marine Conservation Area covers additional kelp forest habitat off Malibu, which state officials said will help the ecosystem withstand a warming ocean.
The commission also created two new conservation areas. The Point Sal State Marine Conservation Area in San Luis Obispo County protects habitat for fish, seabirds and migrating whales. The Mishopshno State Marine Conservation Area in Santa Barbara County protects Carpinteria Reef, home to one of the healthiest kelp forests in the Santa Barbara Channel. Officials also strengthened the Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area on the North Coast to protect declining fish populations while preserving tribal harvest of a culturally important species.
Chumash tribes proposed both new areas, making them the first tribally nominated marine protected areas in California's network. The state said they will open new opportunities for joint stewardship between state agencies and tribes.
"This area has important cultural and spiritual values that deserve to be protected for future generations," said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
Newsom framed the announcement as a contrast to federal policy.
"While Donald Trump attempts to roll back decades of environmental protections and open our shoreline to new oil drilling, we're protecting more of our coast and ocean than ever before," he said.
The Trump administration is seeking to open federal waters off California to new oil and gas leasing for the first time in decades and has launched a review of the state's Coastal Management Program. State officials have warned the review could weaken California's ability to protect its coast.
California completed its statewide network of 124 marine protected areas in 2012. State officials said monitoring shows the areas increase marine life and diversity and can benefit tourism and fisheries outside their boundaries.
The changes followed three years of outreach to tribes, local governments, fishermen, scientists and the public after the network's first 10-year review in 2023.
"These new protected areas proposed by tribal partners provide important protections at a critical time," said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot.