POINT REYES STATION, CA - Point Reyes National Seashore announces its spring wildlife protection closures. These area closures take effect March 1, 2022.
Harbor seal pupping area closures remain in effect through June 30, 2022. The closed areas include the waters of Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero, including tidal areas. ( 299 KB PDF) During this time recreational activities such as kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, snorkeling and underwater diving are not allowed. In addition, Double Point and the westernmost point of Limantour Spit ( 104 KB PDF) are closed to all entry.
Nesting seabird area closures remain in effect through July 31, 2022. The closed areas include Miller Rocks, Hob Island, and Duck Island. Storm petrels, rhinoceros aucklets, common murres, pigeon guillemots, pelagic cormorants, and double-crested cormorants are among the bird species protected during this time.
Nesting snowy plover area closures remain in effect through Sept. 30, 2022. The closed area is from North Beach parking lot to Kehoe Beach, and within Abbotts Lagoon. It is closed to pets, kiteboarding, and kite flying. Kiteboarding, and kite flying are also prohibited at Abbotts Lagoon through September 30.
Harbor seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and it is unlawful to disturb them while they are resting onshore. Nesting seabirds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (text and guide ).
For more information and current conditions, visit the park's website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
-NPS-
Tags: point reyes point reyes national seashore estero de limantour drakes estero limantour estero limantour spit limantour boats closure closures harbor seal harbor seals pupping pupping season seal seals phoca vitulina phoca vitulina richardii pinniped pinnipeds marine mammal marine mammals mammal mammals kayak kayaks kayaking boating tomales bay tomales point double point bolinas lagoon hog island marine mammal protection act migratory bird treaty act western snowy plover western snowy plovers snowy plover snowy plovers plover plovers charadrius nivosus charadrius nivosus nivosus
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
