Abalone Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) and Point Vicente State Marine Reserve (SMR) are two adjoining marine protected areas that extend offshore in Los Angeles County on California's south coast. The two marine protected areas cover . The marine protected areas protect natural habitats and marine life by protecting or limiting removal of wildlife from within their boundaries. Point Vicente SMR, prohibits all take of living marine resources. Abalone Cove SMCA, prohibits take of all living marine resources, except recreational take of pelagic finfish, including Pacific bonito and white seabass by spearfishing, market squid by hand-held dip net, commercial take of coastal pelagic species and Pacific bonito by round haul net, and swordfish by harpoon. Take pursuant to remediation activities associated with the Palos Verdes Shelf Operable Unit of the Montrose Chemical Superfund Site are allowed inside the conservation area per the Interim Record of Decision issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and any subsequent Records of Decision. Please see the California Department of Fish and Game for official details on boundaries, regulations and other information. History Abalone Cove SMCA and Point Vicente SMR are two of 36 marine protected areas adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission in December, 2010 during the third phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California's coastline. The south coast's new marine protected areas were designed by local divers, fishermen, conservationists and scientists who comprised the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. Their job was to design a network of protected areas that would preserve sensitive sea life and habitats while enhancing recreation, study and education opportunities. The south coast marine protected areas went into effect in January, 2012. Geography and natural features Abalone Cove SMCA and Point Vicente SMR are two adjoining marine protected areas that extend offshore in Los Angeles County on California's south coast. Abalone Cove SMCA is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted: thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to and . Point Vicente SMR is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted: thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to and . Habitat and wildlife