North Coast

 
The northernmost stretch of California shelters some of the state's most spectacular coastline. From the Oregon border to Alder Creek near Point Arena, remote wilderness, river mouths, rocky cliffs and sea stacks provide drama above the sea, while an array of marine life moves below. The Marine Life Protection Act will serve to preserve ocean creatures and habitat from future harm by establishing Marine Protected Areas offshore. The Smith River and Point St. George mark the northern end of the study area.

Half a mile offshore from Crescent City stands Castle Rock Refuge, an important sanctuary for Aleutian Canada geese and nesting seabirds - next to the Farallon Islands, the largest nesting seabird colony south of Alaska and a resting place for harbor seals, northern elephant seals, California sea lions and Stellar's sea lions.

Moving south, the Klamath spills out into the Pacific, prime habitat for Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as rainbow trout. Tragically, in 2002, due to agricultural diversion and warm temperatures, an estimated 34,000 adult salmon perished before being able to reproduce.

Further down the coast lies Humboldt Bay, known both for its treacherous entrance and for being the oyster capital of California, providing 70 percent of oysters sold within the state. The success of commercial aquaculture comes after decades of heavy industry on the bay. Thanks to cooperative efforts on behalf of the environment, water quality has improved and sustainability become assured.

Cape Mendocino, the westernmost point in California, shields the coast from the development common in the rest of the state. On land, the population remains sparse, but in the sea, a remarkable diversity continues, culminating in Point Arena, where striped seaperch, kelp and rock greenling, cabezon and lingcod are just some of the species common to the area. With proper protection in place, the thriving species along the North Coast will continue to flourish - and the diminished marine environments will return to historic levels, ensuring a future for all.