Scientists present Reef Check findings, urge expansion of Laguna Beach protected area
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Summary
Reef Check Foundation and Laguna Bluebelt Coalition representatives told the council that surveys show healthier kelp forests and lower urchin counts inside Laguna's marine reserve and asked the city to back efforts to extend the marine protected area boundary to include two reefs currently in the Dana Point SMCA.
Laguna Beach — Researchers with the Reef Check Foundation told the City Council they found stronger kelp forests and lower sea urchin densities inside Laguna’s marine protected area compared with nearby reefs outside the boundary, and urged city support for an expansion of the SMCA boundary.
Mike Beeman of the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition and Jacqueline Mann of Reef Check summarized a January underwater survey of two reefs that currently sit inside the Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area but within Laguna’s city limits. Mann said Reef Check has monitored reefs inside Laguna’s MPA since 2007 and that long-term data show a modest upward trend in giant kelp density and a decline in purple and red urchin populations since the MPA network was established in 2012.
“The science is clear: protection actually works,” Mann said, presenting charts that compared giant kelp density and urchin trends on reefs inside Laguna’s State Marine Reserve to the two recently surveyed reefs outside the reserve. The presenters argued that expanding the Laguna Beach MPA boundary by about one mile could significantly improve conditions at reefs such as Thousand Steps and Three Arch Bay over coming years.
Council members and staff said they would make public information available through the city’s web portal and that the Environmental Sustainability Committee will follow the state petition process; staff said the city will post links and sign-up options for residents to receive updates.
What comes next: Staff will keep the council and the public informed of upcoming Regional Fish & Game Commission meetings and provide links and consolidated state analysis materials on the city website.
