April 7, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stefanie Lao, stefanie@fcpcommunications.com
SACRAMENTO, CA — The Power In Nature coalition today responded to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) recent recommendations and evaluations on proposed changes to the state’s marine protected area (MPA) network. In an announcement on March 20, CDFW recommended denying nearly every proposed conservation measure that was submitted. These recommendations come three years after tribes, conservation organizations, and members of the public submitted 15 proposals that would expand or strengthen the state’s world-renowned MPA network. CDFW has not yet evaluated the five tribally led conservation proposals.
These recommendations are the first step in the decision-making process to approve or deny the proposed changes to the state’s MPA network. Following three regional public meetings in April and May, the California Fish and Game Commission plans to decide on June 17, 2026, whether California will continue its legacy of strong ocean conservation. In the interim, the Ocean Protection Council will issue its own recommendations that factor in additional and new information.
“We are concerned with CDFW’s recommendations, given how important strengthening the Marine Protected Area network is to reaching 30×30 and ensuring our oceans remain healthy far into the future,” said Laura Deehan, State Director for Environment California. “78 percent of Californians across broad and diverse demographics support Marine Protected Areas. We are counting on Governor Newsom, the California Natural Resources Agency and The Ocean Protection Council to push for new ocean protections that reflect the clear will of Californians and the urgency of safeguarding our ocean ecosystems.”
In 2023, tribal governments and environmental and community organizations submitted 15 proposals to strengthen and modestly expand the state’s MPA network in the face of increasing climate-related impacts, ocean industrialization, and habitat loss. These long-awaited recommendations from CDFW are concerning, given the state’s long-standing leadership on ocean conservation and its commitment to conserve 30% of California’s coastal waters by 2030. Cumulatively, if all of the strengthening proposals were approved, this would conserve an additional 2% of state waters, and protect some of the state’s last remaining persistent kelp forests, habitat for endangered species, and other vulnerable habitats like rocky intertidal reef. The recommendations as proposed, would add protections to less than 0.1% of state coastal waters.
Research has shown that the state’s globally-recognized MPA network—which currently protects 16% of the state’s coastal waters—is working to enhance biodiversity, increase fish biomass, and improve the resilience of key habitats like kelp forests in the face of climate change-related impacts. However, we need over 275,000 additional acres to reach the state’s 30×30 goal. Only 9% of state waters are conserved in fully protected MPAs, the most effective type of biodiversity protection.
Background on 30×30:
Scientists worldwide agree that to protect life as we know it, we must conserve at least 30% of the Earth’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. In 2020, Governor Newsom committed California to the 30×30 goal, and in 2023, that goal became state law.
California is leading the world towards 30×30, especially on the land side, but millions of acres still must be conserved in less than four years. Preserving the state’s lands and coastal waters will help address the impacts of climate change, protect animal and plant species at risk for extinction, and expand access to nature for Californians.
