Lover's Cove Marine Preserve - Catalina Island

Site name: Lover's Cove State Marine Conservation Area
Year established: 1974
Approximate Area: 0.02 nm2
Approximate Shoreline length: 0.30 nm
Approximate Depth range (feet): 0 to 105

Habitat types: Composed of approximately 80% hard bottom. Giant kelp in shallow water.

Surrounding habitat types: Rocky and pebble shoreline adjacent to site. Sandy/soft bottom offshore.

Summary of existing regulations: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial take of finfish and kelp.

Primary objectives: Although some harvest is officially allowed, all harvest and diving is unofficially prohibited by local authority. This small MPA adjacent to Avalon Cove is frequently used as a tourist destination for glass bottom boats, especially in the summer.

Existing Enforcement: Included as part of normal Department of Fish and Game marine patrol activities for this general area based on available patrol resources and level of fishery activity in the area. Local harbor patrol, lifeguards and tour operators provide an added enforcement presence.

Baseline and ongoing monitoring and research studies: Surveyed by Dr. Milton Love's group.

Basic Evaluation: Provides de facto complete protection of all marine life. Heavily used as a tourist site for viewing relatively undisturbed and abundant nearshore reef marine life as a result of the high level of protection and observation. Kelp bass were at the same densities as areas outside this MPA but total biomass was several times greater (larger individual sizes) inside indicating that this MPA is protecting this desirable species to a greater extent than general fishery regulations elsewhere.