Point Lobos is the common name for the area including Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and two adjoining marine protected areas: Point Lobos State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA). Point Lobos is just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States, at the north end of the Big Sur coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Point Lobos contains a number of hiking trails, many next to the ocean, and a smaller number of beaches. It is the site of a historic marine reserve, which was expanded in 2007. It is also the home to a museum on whaling, which includes a historic building once used by area fishermen. The longstanding wildlife protection and scenic seascape have led to Point Lobos' reputation as an unparalleled local recreational scuba diving destination. The park's origins are owed to engineer Alexander Allan, who purchased a large parcel of land in 1933 to prevent it from being developed. It was to be subdivided into 1,000 lots under the name of "Carmelito".
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Geography and natural features
The iconic Point Lobos area is geologically unique and contains a rich and diverse plant and animal life both on shore and in the water. Called the "greatest meeting of land and water in the world" by landscape artist Francis McComas, Point Lobos is considered a crown jewel in the California state park system. The geological history of Point Lobos describes the rocks that create the headlands and inlets that make Point Lobos famous.
Carmel submarine canyon lies just north of Point Lobos. Like Monterey Canyon to the north the canyon provides cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface during upwelling events. These nutrient rich waters fuel the high primary productivity seen in Carmel and Monterey Bays, which in turn support the high diversity of life observed in the water and on land at Point Lobos.
Point Lobos State Park Video
Marine Protected Areas
The original Point Lobos Ecological Reserve was created in 1973. As one of California's oldest and best known no-take reserves, its large and diverse fish populations make Point Lobos a hot spot for non-consumptive recreational diving.
In 2007, the Ecological Reserve was expanded and renamed with the establishment of The Point Lobos SMR and Point Lobos SMCA by the California Department of Fish and Game. They were two of 29 marine protected areas adopted during the first phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline.
State Marine Reserve
Point Lobos SMR covers 5.36 square miles. The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. Fishing and take of all living marine resources is prohibited. The marine reserve is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:
- 36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 55.55' W. long.;
- 36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.;
- 36° 28.88' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.; and
- 36° 28.88' N. lat. 121° 56.30' W. long.
State Marine Conservation Area
Point Lobos SMCA covers 8.83 square miles. Harvest of all living marine resources is prohibited in the conservation area except the recreational and commercial take of salmon, albacore, and the commercial take of spot prawn. The area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:
- 36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.;
- 36° 31.70' N. lat. 122° 01.30' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
- 36° 28.88' N. lat. 122° 00.55' W. long.;
- 36° 28.88' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.; and
- 36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 58.25' W. long.
Habitat and wildlife
The Point Lobos marine protected areas provide shelter to a wide range of fish, invertebrates, birds, and marine mammals, from those that rely on the near-shore kelp forest to those that inhabit the deep waters of the Carmel Submarine Canyon.
Point Lobos is one of only two places where the Monterey Cypress can be found in the wild. The waters around Point Lobos contain extensive kelp forests.
Whale watchings targeting several species such as curious gray, humpback, and blue are available.
Whaler's Cabin Museum
Point Lobos features the Whalers Cabin, a building constructed in the 1850s to house Japanese and Chinese fishermen. This building has been preserved, and now houses a museum dedicated to cultural history of the area. Shore whaling was conducted here by the Carmel Whaling Company from 1862 to 1884 and by the Japanese Whaling Company from 1898 to 1900. The museum also highlights the history of Point Lobos, including its cinematic appearances and plans at the turn of the 20th century to develop the area for densely packed suburban housing.
Recreation
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve offers outstanding coastal scenery, hiking trails, and dive sites. The adjacent marine protected areas provide ample opportunities for scuba diving.
California's marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean. Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.
Scientific monitoring
As specified by the Marine Life Protection Act, select marine protected areas along California's central coast are being monitored by scientists to track their effectiveness and learn more about ocean health. Similar studies in marine protected areas located off of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have already detected gradual improvements in fish size and number.
Government
At the county level, Point Lobos is represented on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors by Supervisor Dave Potter.
In the California State Legislature, Point Lobos is in the 17th Senate District, represented by Democrat Bill Monning, and in the 29th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Mark Stone.
In the United States House of Representatives, Point Lobos is in California's 20th congressional district, represented by Democrat Jimmy Panetta.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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