Initiative Updates

Update on MPA Petition Timeline (Updated 5/26/2026) 

Thank you to everyone who participated in and followed the California Fish and Game Commission’s May 19 meeting held in San Clemente regarding the Marine Protected Area decadal review process and related petitions.

During the meeting, the Commission received public input and indicated that no decision regarding any petition would be made at that time.

As of now, I am told the current timeline is for the California Ocean Protection Council to provide its input and analysis to the Fish and Game Commission at the Commission’s August meeting. This reflects a change from prior indications that the Ocean Protection Council’s analysis may have been released sometime in June.

What this likely means is that the earliest the Fish and Game Commission would consider taking action on any remaining petitions would be at its October meeting. As with any State process, this timeline remains subject to change.

At this point, the City and this communication thread will begin to ramp down. I will follow up if there are any significant changes to the timeline and will also look to distribute the Ocean Protection Council’s report once it becomes publicly available.

Thank you again to everyone who participated in this process and shared their perspectives throughout the decadal review.

City Council's Review of MPA Petition (Updated 5/18/26)

At its May 12 meeting the City Council review the Bluebelt petition and voted unanimously to:

1. Send a letter agreeing with the Environmental Sustainability Committee’s and California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) conclusion that sufficient scientific evidence does not currently support a boundary change, and the City is open to future collaboration on kelp restoration and ocean health improvement;
2. Direct staff to develop a process within the DFW framework to continue stakeholder discussions and explore opportunities for further scientific analysis; and
3. Find the recommended action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and is alternatively exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)

Click here to view the City Council comment letter

Environmental Sustainability Committee's Review of MPA Petition (Updated 4/27/26)

At its April 20, 2026 meeting, the Environmental Sustainability Committee reviewed the petition to expand the no take provisions of the Laguna Beach SMCA to the City’s southern boundary.

Following deliberation, the Committee recommended that the City support the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recommendation to deny the petition, which would maintain the Marine Protected Area designations as they are currently established.

For additional context, the Committee prepared a letter outlining the basis for its recommendation to the City Council. The letter is available at the link below:

ESC Letter to City Council Regarding its Recommendation

Laguna Bluebelt Provides Comment Letter Responding to DF&W's Petition Analysis (Updated 4/2/26)

The letter from the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition responds to the State’s review of its petition to expand no take marine protections in Laguna Beach and outlines areas where the coalition disagrees with the State’s findings. It states that a single citywide no fishing rule would be easier for the public to understand, cites newer scientific data showing stronger kelp conditions in protected areas than in nearby unprotected areas, and argues that expanding the protected area would improve the local marine protected area network. The letter also states that impacts on recreational fishing would be limited, addresses questions related to enforcement and boundary design, and asks the Fish and Game Commission to consider the petition using updated information during the ongoing review process.

Bluebelt Comment letter on DFW Evaluation of Petition 2023_24

How the State Reviews and Decides MPA Petitions (Updated 3/31/2026)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recommendation to deny the petition is not the final action. The California Fish and Game Commission must still review the petition analysis, hear public testimony at a public meeting, and determine whether to uphold or reject the Department’s recommendation.

The Fish and Game Commission is scheduled to consider the Laguna Beach petition on May 19. The Commission may choose to take action at that meeting, or it may continue the item to its July Fish and Game Commission meeting for further consideration.

Residents and interested parties will have an opportunity to provide public comment as part of the Commission’s review process.

If you would like additional information about the different roles of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Game Commission, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section below, which explains how each agency participates in the MPA petition process.

Summary of Petition's Rational (Provided by State 3/20/26)

The petitioner’s stated intent for the proposed change is: Since the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative planning process, the City of Laguna Beach’s assumed jurisdiction over the city’s southern beaches from the County of Orange. This regulation change will make enforcement easier and more consistent, better protect kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) beds in South Laguna from fishing and the potential effects of anchor chain drag, and reduce whale entanglement risks from spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) trap lines.

 *this summary is verbatim from the DF&W petition analysis, and not the position of the City or its agents.

Summary of States Recommendation and Justification of the Laguna Bluebelt's Petition (Provided by State 3/20/26)

Recommended by DF&W Staff (Not final approval): deny the petition

The proposed change to expand the Laguna Beach No-take SMCA and thereby reduce the size of the Dana Point SMCA does not address an enforcement challenge, advance adaptive management recommendations from the Decadal Management Review (DMR), address a current or emerging MPA management challenge, or align with the original intent of these MPAs as established during the MLPA Initiative planning process. The proposed change is unlikely to benefit migrating whales or have a biologically meaningful impact on kelp at this location beyond what is already offered by the Dana Point SMCA. The proposal would change the boundary so that it no longer aligns with key Feasibility Guidelines, which would likely compromise enforceability. The proposed change would also unnecessarily restrict an existing important fishing ground that was deliberately contemplated during the MLPA Initiative planning process.

 *this summary is verbatim from the DF&W petition analysis, and not the position of the City or its agents.

Click here to read the Department of Fish and Wildlife's analysis of the Bluebelt Petition

Opportunities for Public Input

Each of these meetings provides an opportunity for members of the public to share input either in writing or in person.

Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations

Upcoming Fish and Game Commission Meeting to Make Determination (TBD)

April 20, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. (Completed)
Laguna Beach Environmental Sustainability Committee
505 Fores Ave - City Council Chambers
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

May 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. (Completed)
Laguna Beach City Council Meeting
505 Forest Avenue - City Council Chambers
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

May 19, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. (Completed)
California Fish and Game Commission Regional Meeting
Holiday Inn Express
35 Via Pico Plaza
San Clemente, CA 92672