Marine Conservation in San Diego
Millions of people a year visit San Diego’s beaches. Many play and fish in the ocean’s lush kelp forests, which stand tall like underwater Redwoods and provide food and shelter for hundreds of species from tiny invertebrates to fish, mammals and birds.
But San Diego’s ocean health is fragile.
San Diego’s ocean ecosystem suffers from overfishing, climate change and other human impacts. Overuse depletes fish populations and destroys marine habitats and wildlife. The region’s growing population and dense development create toxic urban runoff that impacts San Diego’s water quality. 
San Diego Coastkeeper helps safeguard our local beach- and tourism-based economy by creating “undersea Yosemites” – or marine protected areas – as safe havens for marine life. A strong marine protected area plan will provide economic and ecological benefits for San Diego’s tourism, diving, boating, whale watching and fishing industries and will allow sensitive sea life and habitats to recover and thrive.
San Diego Coastkeeper’s ocean conservation program also includes two Areas of Special Biological Significance located in La Jolla Shores. Part of a statewide network of biologically diverse sections of California’s coast, these ocean parks require preservation of water quality protection from pollution including discharge of wastewater, litter and stormwater runoff. Read more about Areas of Special Biological Significance.
You can help protect San Diego’s ocean. Ensure leopard sharks, rays, shovelnose guitarfish and brilliant orange garibaldis continue to dart through kelp and surf grass by donating to and becoming a member of San Diego Coastkeeper. Sign up for our electronic newsletter to receive marine conservation updates regarding upcoming public meetings and email support campaigns.
Slideshow photo credits include Dana Roeber Murray and IStock.
