How do you protect the ocean?

One great way to help protect the ocean is through the establishment of Marine Protected Areas. Similar to a state or a national park on land, Marine Protected Areas are underwater areas with limited use by people. Southern California is home to many Marine Protected Areas, including two that are visible from Birch Aquarium’s clifftop perch. The aquarium's Giant Kelp Tank represents just one of the four habitats protected in the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve, while Shark Shores represents the San Diego-Scripps Coastal Marine Conservation Area. These two local marine reserves play a key role in protecting San Diego’s ocean wildlife and informing the conservation messaging at Birch Aquarium.

Want to learn more about marine reserves? Attend one of Birch Aquarium's seasonal naturalist-guided Tidepooling Adventures or a Shark Snorkel and explore some of the protected areas within the marine reserves.