California’s ocean protections work, so naturally, we’re arguing about them

Our ocean is finally starting to recover, but now it has to survive the decision-making process.

After more than a decade of evidence that California’s marine protected areas help sea life rebound and even boost nearby fisheries, the state is now weighing whether to expand them, scale them back, or leave them alone. This sets up a familiar clash between conservation, industry, and everything in between.

The state is considering a variety of changes …