Saturday, January 18, 2014 is California's 6th annual Underwater Parks Day

The network consists of 124 Marine Protected Areas (MPA) along California's 1,000-mile coastline.

• State Marine Reserve - No take area
• State Marine Conservation Area - No take areas & limited take areas
• State Marine Park - Limited take area
• State Marine Recreational Management Area - No take areas & limited take areas
• Special Closure - Prohibits access or restricts boating in waters adjacent to sea bird rookeries or marine mammal haul-out sites (restrictions vary)

The creation of a statewide network of Marine Protected Areas is a marine resource management program. While an individual MPA functions to protect organisms and ecological linkages within a specific area, a network of MPAs is designed to sustain marine life at a regional scale by supporting important processes such as dispersal of larvae among sites and protecting ecosystems, such as kelp forests, at multiple locations. An MPA network includes individual MPAs of different sizes and degrees of protection and can complement single-species fisheries management to maintain and improve ocean health.

Celebrate underwater, shoreline and near-shore parks. There are lots of opportunities to get in or on the water, participate in a photography contest with great prizes, or learn about local sea life through aquarium exhibits and lectures.

South coast aquaria started Underwater Parks Day in 2009, and continue to celebrate the event with interactive exhibits, games, lectures and movies. They will also have information for residents that want to get involved in marine protected area monitoring programs or other volunteer work.

POINT LOBOS pointlobos.org Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014

Point Lobos celebrates the importance of Marine Protected Areas (MPA's) by participating in Underwater Parks Day. Divers will set up an exhibit for visitors to touch, feel and learn about some of the spectacular underwater wildlife in Whalers Cove from 10:00 to noon. The Marine Mammal Center, PISCO, Reef Check, BAUE and the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation will be present and have displays for visitors. Normal entry fees apply.

LONG BEACH Saturday, January 18, 2014, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Aquarium of the Pacific: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
Guests will be able to learn about the commercial and recreational activities permitted in Southern California's network of MPAs. MPA stories will be told using film, lectures, and interactive exhibits. Learn more about Southern California's network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that went into effect January 1, 2012. The event will also feature educational booths and activities in the Great Hall. Free with admission.

MORRO BAY - Underwater Parks Day at the Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay on January 13, 2014

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The California Ocean Science Trust, together with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, invites you to engage in an open, informal dialogue to help inform continued marine protected area (MPA) monitoring in the Central Coast, including the Central Coast MPA Monitoring Plan. All members of the Central Coast ocean community are welcome, including those interested in the monitoring, evaluation, and management of the region's MPAs and oceans. Local, state, and tribal government representatives, fishermen, researchers, nonprofit organizations, citizen scientists, divers, surfers, paddlers, wildlife enthusiasts, and all other ocean stewards are encouraged to join in. Lear about your monitoring questions and priorities related to MPAs, including species, fisheries, and ecosystems that are important to gather information on; Exploring the role of local expertise and traditional ecological knowledge in monitoring; Beginning to exchange ideas and discuss opportunities for partnership-building and collaboration. RSVP appreciated, but not required: (805) 776-3982

DANA POINT - Ocean Institute Saturday, January 18, 2014
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. ocean-institute.org
The Ocean Institute will join in the celebration of Underwater Parks Day to educate the public about the statewide network of MPAs and explain the need for these underwater parks. Explore the species, habitats and resources that make our ocean exceptional. Free with admission. Learn about and explore the species, habitats, and resources that make our ocean exceptional. Admission price is $6.50 for adults (13 yrs+) and $4.50 for children (3 -12 yrs); Children 2 and under are free. Members are free.

SANTA BARBARA - Ty Warner Sea Center Saturday, January 18, 2014

Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA
Time: 12 - 3 p.m.: 211
Observe feeding of local marine critters and learn how marine protected areas are providing safe habitats for animals to thrive. Celebrate these unique aquatic environments through hands-on science investigations. Ty Warner Sea Center's Underwater Parks Day Festival is providing free admission to all children 12 and under accompanied by a paid adult. There will be marine animal feeding demonstrations throughout the day and free reusable tote bags while supplies last.

LA JOLLA - SEA Days at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Saturday, January 18, 2014

Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA, aquarium.ucsd.edu

Meet animals that live in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, find out the best ways to enjoy our underwater parks and discover the importance of these underwater treasures. Free with admission. Sat, January 18, 11am – 3pm Where Birch Aquarium at Scripps (map) Description SEA Days 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Underwater Parks Day Celebrate the fourth annual Underwater Parks Day. Meet animals that live in our local La Jolla Ecological Reserve, learn about the importance of our underwater treasures, and explore the best ways to enjoy our Underwater Parks! FREE with admission.

SAN PEDRO - Cabrillo Aquarium January 18, 2014

Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, CA
6th Annual Underwater Parks Day includes speakers, presentations, interactive activities and handouts for visitors so they can learn more about MPAs, how MPAs work, and where MPAs are located in Southern California. Similar activities are being held the same day at partner marine science centers including Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Ocean Institute in Dana Point, Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla, SeaLife Aquarium in Carlsbad, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, Ty-Warner Sea Center in Santa Barbara and Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence - West.

SANTA MONICA - Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Saturday, January 18, 2014

1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 1-5 p.m. healthebay.org

Dorothy Green room grand opening at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium invites the public to visit the Aquarium for free, sponsored by Cirque du Soleil. The newly renovated Dorothy Green Room brings a holistic approach to water and a fresh focus on the watersheds of the Santa Monica Bay while celebrating Heal the Bay's founder - and founding - through interactive displays and two new exhibits of live animals. A ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Special guest presenters will showcase animals typically found throughout the watershed, including Gary Bucciarrelli of UCLA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, who will bring California newts to accompany his talk about healthy watersheds. An Orange County nonprofit, Inside the Outdoors, will bring a menagerie of animals for a special presentation.

PAST EVENTS

ARCATA - Celebrate Underwater Parks Day, Saturday January 19, 2013, Noon - 2 p.m. at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. friendsofthedunes.org

CARLSBAD - Legoland SEA LIFE Aquarium: 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA
Saturday, January 19, 2013, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
More than 200 species of sea creatures call SEA LIFE Aquarium home. Learn about these wondrous animals and how Southern California's new underwater parks will help protect them for the future. Fun games and activities for families and kids will teach about the ocean and the importance of conservation. Free with admission.

SAN FRANCISCO - Celebrate Underwater Parks Day
Saturday, Jan 19, 2013, 11:30 a.m.
"Aquarium of the Bay" at Pier 39 San Francisco, CA
Join us on Underwater Parks Day to learn about Marine Protected Areas on California's coast. Experience our underwater parks through the lens of Marc Shargel – slide show and lecture featuring underwater photography at 11:30 a.m. Activities for kids throughout the day in the Aquarium of the Bay's Bay Theater.

SAUSALITO - Underwater Parks Day Saturday, January 19, 2013, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Museum joins with the Ocean Conservancy to celebrate the fifth annual Underwater Parks Day at Bay Area Discovery Museum , Sausalito CA
557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito, CA, 94965
(415) 339-3900 baykidsmuseum.org

WATSONVILLE - Special day of recognition at Elkhorn Slough January 19, 2013 at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and Point Lobos Reserve. Funded by the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation, Underwater Parks Day invites the public to see special displays at both locations. At Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, the visitor center will feature information on the marine mammals that thrive in the 1,700-acre slough reserve. These include the southern sea otter, a threaten species that is critical to the health of kelp forest environments. The Elkhorn Slough currently hosts the largest concentration of southern sea otters on the coast of California.A presentation on marine mammals in the slough will be held 11 a.m. to noon in the reserve's conference room. elkhornslough.org.