Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve
Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a marine protected area in Carmel Bay including a unique underwater pinnacle formation with adjacent kelp forest, submarine canyon head, and surfgrass. Carmel Bay is adjacent to the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea and is near Monterey, on California's central coast. History Carmel Pinnacles SMR was established in September 2007 by the California Department of Fish & Game. It was one of 29 marine protected areas adopted during the first phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (or MLPAI) is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline. This marine protected area covers .53 square miles bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 36° 33.65’ N. lat. 121° 57.60’ W. long.; 36° 33.65’ N. lat. 121° 58.50’ W. long.; 36° 33.10’ N. lat. 121° 58.50’ W. long.; 36° 33.10’ N. lat. 121° 57.60’ W. long.; and 36° 33.65’ N. lat. 121° 57.60’ W. long. 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