California considers expanding marine protections as federal safeguards recede

As the Trump administration reopens vast Pacific waters to fishing, California weighs increasing protections in its marine reserve network during a 10-year review.

Annika Hammerschlag reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• California’s marine protected areas, covering 16% of state waters, have helped ecosystems rebound and support tourism and fisheries; a proposed expansion would add 2% more protected waters.
• Some commercial fishermen, while supportive of many protections, are requesting access to certain no-take zones, arguing that closures impact livelihoods without benefiting migratory species.
• Conservationists argue that expanding protections will strengthen ocean resilience against climate change and industrial pressures, especially as federal protections roll back.

Key quote:

“When we protect the oceans, we’re really protecting ourselves.”

— Sandy Aylesworth, director of the Pacific Initiative for the Natural Resources Defense Council

Why this matters:

Marine protected areas serve as critical refuges for biodiversity, helping ecosystems recover from decades of overfishing, habitat loss, and the growing pressures of climate change. In California, these reserves not only bolster fish populations but also support a booming ecotourism industry and long-term fisheries health through spillover effects. However, balancing conservation with the needs of commercial and recreational fishermen has long been contentious. As ocean temperatures rise and industrial uses such as shipping and energy development increase, safeguarding resilient habitats becomes ever more important.

Related: Trump reopens protected Pacific waters to commercial fishing, sparking backlash