A “hidden treasure” found along the North Coast

Happy Underwater Parks Day! Today marks the fourth annual celebration of California’s “underwater parks.” What are these parks? Like the ones on land, they’re places made special by a combination of intrinsic environmental value, stunning beauty and increased safeguarding of the creatures within. 

Formally designated under the Marine Life Protection Act, this network of marine protected areas – the “underwater parks” – spans our state from the Baja border to just north of Point Arena. Our own community-created North Coast addition to the state-wide network is expected to be adopted by this fall. The folks who designed the network ranging from the Oregon border to Alder Creek included surfers, divers, kayakers, birders and other recreational users, as well as commercial fishermen and tribal representatives. Most of the coast remains open to fishing, ab diving, seaweed harvesting, etc., but we do have some valuable conservation areas we hope will help ensure healthy fisheries into the future. For next year’s Underwater Parks Day, we expect to add our own celebrations to the beach clean-ups, aquarium visits, kayaking expeditions and other events happening around the state.

With the rain dumping down, I can’t recommend taking a drive to any of the proposed sites – stay safe and indoors! – but you can see them on this very cool mapping program, Marine Map, here. When the weather clears, take a drive down to South Humboldt Bay, up to Redwood Creek or over Cape Mendocino where you’ll find just a few of the rich, diverse, amazing places worth giving extra protection. 

And, if you’re curious about what goes on underwater, check out Mark Shargel’s Wonders of the Sea, Volume Three: Hidden Treasures of California’s Far North Coast for a rare glimpse of the gems few of us get to see. In any case, reflecting on and appreciating the bounty and beauty of our local sealife is a great thing – today and all days.