Digital Marine Protected area sign stationed at Big River Beach
Increased visitation to the Mendocino Coast has highlighted the need to conserve the region's natural beauty and resources, including its 14 Marine Protected Areas (MPAS). These concerns were expressed in 2021 at an MPA Compliance Forum, in which community members expressed their concerns over the deteriorating health of Big River State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) and Mendocino's other MPAS.
To address these concerns, the Mendocino MPA Collaborative, one of fourteen county-based collaboratives within the MPA Collaborative Network, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and State Parks, recently launched a new pilot project to encourage compliance with Marine Protected Area (MPA) regulations. This includes the implementation of a digital sign at Big River SMCA, an MPA in the heart of Mendocino County that protects its unique and robust biological diversity. The digital sign flashes a series of messages to visitors, informing them that they are in an MPA and should stay back from wildlife, watch for swimmers, and leash dogs. The effectiveness of the flashing sign will be evaluated through visitor surveys. If deemed successful, similar projects could be implemented at MPAS across the state.
Stop by Ford House Visitor Center and Museum in Mendocino (open 11-4 pm every day) to participate in a survey for this project to better understand how the sign impacts behavior in Marine Protected Areas. The digital sign will be up from April to July with notifications about MPAS and appropriate activities that can take place in MPAS.
This pilot project is part of a larger effort to increase awareness of MPAS and compliance with MPA regulations throughout the state. The Mendocino MPA Collaborative, and the MPA Collaborative Network it is a part of, brings together diverse community members, agencies, and organizations to create more effective coastal resource management along the Mendocino coastline. The Mendocino Collaborative is led by representatives of The Nature Conservancy and Noyo Harbor District. Partners include the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Sonoma MPA Collaborative, and California State Parks. The project is made possible through funding from the Ocean Protection Council and Resources Legacy Fund. To learn more about MPAS and contribute to their stewardship and management, join your local collaborative by visiting www.mpacollaborative.org.