Laguna Beach council won’t back petition to extend no‑take zone but urges more science

Laguna Beach — After a three‑hour public comment period that brought dozens of speakers to the council dais Tuesday night, the Laguna Beach City Council declined to formally endorse a local petition that would expand the city’s marine protected area (MPA) no‑take boundary to the city limits.

The council’s unanimous action sent a letter to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) saying the city concurs with the department’s technical evaluation — which recommended denial — but asking state staff to accept and review additional scientific and socioeconomic analyses before the next decadal review. The council also directed its Environmental Sustainability Committee to work with local groups and state agencies on expanded monitoring and potential kelp restoration work.

Why it mattered: The petition, filed by the Laguna Blue Belt Coalition, would extend the city’s no‑take state marine conservation area (SMCA) farther south along South Laguna. Supporters said a one‑mile extension would protect kelp forest habitat, reduce marine mammal entanglements and simplify enforcement. Opponents — including many local recreational and commercial fishers — warned that the change would eliminate one of the last shore‑fishing areas in Laguna Beach and displace fishing effort to neighboring jurisdictions.

The facts: City staff summarized CDFW’s decadal review: after ten years, the state finds many MPAs are showing ecological benefit, but it did not see clear causal evidence that fishing pressure was the primary driver of kelp loss in South Laguna. CDFW flagged uncertain ecological benefits from the boundary shift, possible socioeconomic harm to anglers and commercial fishers and potential enforcement confusion if lines shifted to non‑integer latitude references.

What supporters said: Speakers representing the Laguna Blue Belt Coalition, Reef Check Foundation, Pacific Marine Mammal Center and local environmental nonprofit leaders pointed to Reef Check surveys and decades of volunteer monitoring that, they said, show lower kelp and predator abundance in the stretch proposed for extension. “We now have an opportunity to finish the legacy,” said one Blue Belt speaker, urging the city to endorse the petition and press the state for change.

What opponents said: Dozens of anglers and South Laguna residents — including people who fish with their families — urged the council to protect access to shore fishing and local traditions. “This tiny sliver of coastline is all families have left,” said one speaker, noting young anglers and multi‑generational use. Commercial fishers warned that shifting closures south would compact effort into adjacent reefs and displace impact rather than eliminate it.

The council decision: After lengthy deliberations the council agreed with the planning staff, the Environmental Sustainability Committee (6–1 against the petition) and CDFW that the current evidence does not support a boundary change now. Council members nevertheless emphasized the city’s longtime role in marine stewardship and asked staff to pursue additional baseline monitoring and to advocate (to state partners) for funding and pilot studies that would address the gaps CDFW identified. The city will send a letter making those points to the commission ahead of the state’s hearing.

What’s next: The CDFW and the Fish and Game Commission make the final determination in the state adaptive management process. The city’s letter asks the agencies to accept supplemental monitoring and socioeconomic data from local partners and notes Laguna Beach’s willingness to collaborate on restoration and research.

Who spoke: Mike Bean (Laguna Blue Belt Coalition), Justin Becker (local fisher), representatives of Reef Check Foundation, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and dozens of local residents and commercial anglers.

Reporting note: Council directed staff to make the city’s letter to CDFW public; the city’s formal position is recorded in the council minutes and the text will be posted on the city website.