Anacapa State Marine Reserve
The Anacapa State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a protected marine reserve located off the coast of Southern California, encompassing the area of water immediately north of Anacapa Island. Established to safeguard the marine ecosystems and biodiversity of the region, the reserve is one of the thirteen Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the larger Channel Islands National Park network.
| Anacapa State Marine Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve) | |
Map of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, which overlaps Channel Islands National Park and includes Anacapa State Marine Reserve | |
| Location | Ventura County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 34°02′N 119°23′W |
| Length | 3.1 miles (5.0 km) |
| Area | 11.55 square miles (29.9 km2) |
| Elevation | 0–709 feet (0–216 m) below sea level |
| Established | 2003 |
| Governing body | California Department of Fish and Wildlife |
Anacapa State Marine Reserve covers an area of 11.55 square miles (29.9 km2) and has a shoreline span of 3.1 miles (5.0 km). The reserve protects sandy beaches, extensive rocky shores, surf grass beds, kelp forests, deep offshore sand, and rocky seafloor to depths greater than 700 feet (210 m) below sea level. The reserve includes a Special Closure area of approximately 1 square mile (2.6 km2) to protect seabirds and marine species.