Conservation of a Treasure
More than 135,000 visitors a year roam the tidepools at low tide. This volume of people has unwittingly damaged the fragile marine life by tramping over the reef, leaving rocks overturned and disrupting animals in their natural habitat. "It's got to the point," said Bob Breen, supervising naturalist, "where many plants and animals have disappeared and may not return for many years."
Faced with the problem of crowds of up to 1500 or more on a low tide day, many groups of intertidal invertebrates are missing or are rarely seen at the reserve. For example, there is a depletion of chitons, crabs, limpets, sea stars and sponges. This has been attributed to visitor use beyond the capacity of the reef during the past two decades. Reef survival is in jeopardy, and the reef needs substantial protection to recover.
In order to allow recovery of degraded areas and to protect other areas of the reef from future degradation, San Mateo County has developed and intends to implement a master plan that will exclude visitors from some areas and limit the maximum number of daily visitors at the Reserve.
Among the recommendations of the master plan are:
- Close access to the most damaged reefs and tide pools in the reserve to allow time for recovery, and direct visitor traffic to adjacent, less impacted reef areas
- Limit visitors to 500 a day. It is felt the currently less degraded reefs could withstand this limited, acceptable usage
- Hire qualified supervisors and staff trained in the biological sciences in order to enforce protection of the reserve.
Reflecting on the Marine Reserve's future, Bob Breen, who has been the only supervising naturalist at the reserve since its inception in 1969, said. "Our first priority is to hire a marine biologist/naturalist to manage the reserve." He added, "A professional staff is essential to effectively supervise and monitor the fragile ecosystem that exists here."
Plan Approval
The Board of Supervisors approved the draft Master Plan for Fitzgerald Reserve and authorized an EIR which is necessary before final approval.
The State’s approval is also necessary. The management and control of the Fitzgerald Reserve rests with two different legal entities. The beach above the mean high tide line and the upland areas are county property and subject to county ordinances and controls. The area from the mean high tide line out 1000 feet into the ocean is a State Marine Life Refuge, established in 1969. This offshore refuge is governed by state Fish and Game laws which prohibit collection of marine life but allow fishing with a valid license. Legal enforcement on the intertidal reserve is the responsibility of Fish and Game, although, in practice, the enforcement is carried out jointly by county park staff, the county sheriff, and Fish and Game.
What is the future of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve?
Will there be unrecoverable losses of invertebrates and algae because of damage already done? There are some scientists who feel there will be. Others are more optimistic. Only time will tell. In the meantime, every effort is at work to save this precious legacy for future generations to enjoy.
How can you help?
Read the tips for good tide pool behavior.
Volunteer for training to become a docent to lead student groups on tours and educate them on the protection of the reserve.
Become a member of the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Life Refuge to keep track of the progress of the Master Plan.