Other Protected Areas in California

Fish and Game Code Division 7, Chapter 1, Article 2 deals with special provisions for given refuges and other protected areas in California.

Section 10650 provides that, in Mt. Tamalpais Game Refuge, the lawful occupant of privately owned land, or the employees of such occupant, may take on such lands, predatory, or destructive birds and mammals which are not protected or fostered by any of the laws of this State, and are not required to obtain permits for such taking.

Section 10651 explains that, in the Mt. Tamalpais Game Refuge, firearms may be possessed and used by members of any high school militia while on the grounds of the high school at which time they may be enrolled.

Section 10652 states that, in the Mt. Tamalpais Game Refuge, no threatened, endangered, or fully-protected birds or mammals may be taken under any permit issued by the department.

Section 10653 explains that, in the San Francisco Fish and Game Refuge, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and reptiles legally possessed may be carried openly by persons traveling through the refuge on public roads, between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset.

Section 10654 says that nothing in this division prevents the full use of the land included in the San Francisco Fish and Game Refuge for water supply purposes, nor prohibits any authorized employee of the San Francisco water department from carrying out reasonable measures as may be necessary for the protection of the water supply or the prevention of pollution of the streams or reservoirs.

Section 10655 provides that a person involved in oceanographic and scientific research in and around Santa Catalina Island may be authorized by the Director of the Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge to enter the Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge and to anchor or moor a vessel therein.

Section 10655,5 makes it unlawful to enter the Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge for the purpose of taking or possessing any fish or marine plants or to take or possess any fish or marine plants in the Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge.

Section 10656 makes it unlawful to enter the Bodega Marine Life Refuge for the purpose of taking or possessing any fish, marine invertebrate, or marine plant, or to take or possess any fish, marine invertebrate, or marine plant in the Bodega Marine Life Refuge.

Section 10657 states that a person may be permitted by the Director of the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge to enter the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge under a permit.

Section 10657.5 makes it unlawful to enter the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge for the purpose of taking or possessing any fish or marine plants or to take or possess any fish or marine plants in the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge.

Section 10657 and this section do not prohibit or restrict navigation in the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge pursuant to federal law.

Section 10658 explains that, in the San Diego Marine Life Refuge, licensees of the Regents of the University of California and all officers, employees, and students of the  university may take, for scientific purposes, any invertebrate or specimen of marine plant life without a permit from the department.

Section 10659 says that, in the California Sea Otter Game Refuge, the lawful occupant of privately owned land, or the employees of such occupant, may possess firearms and traps and may take on lands any nonprotected bird or mammal, and no permit is required for taking.

Section 10660 provides that, in the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge, fish, other than mollusks and crustaceans, may be taken under the authority of a sport fishing license as authorized by this code.

Section 10661 states that, in the Bodega Marine Life Refuge, licensees of the Regents of the University of California and all officers, employees, and students of the university may take, for scientific purposes, any invertebrate or specimen of marine plant life without a permit from the department.

Section 10662 makes it unlawful for any person to fire a firearm in specified areas.

Section 10663 specifies that, in Fish and Game Refuge 4-D, the lawful occupant of privately owned lands or the employees of occupants may possess firearms without a permit.

Section 10664 specifies that, in the Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Point Fermin, South Laguna Beach, Niguel, Irvine Coast, and Doheny Beach Marine Life Refuges, the specified fish, mollusks, and crustaceans may be taken under the authority of a sportfishing license as authorized by this code.

Section 10665 makes it unlawful, in the Johnsville Game Refuge for any person to discharge a firearm or other device capable of killing or injuring any animal. Birds and animals lawfully taken and possessed outside of the boundaries of the Johnsville Game Refuge may be possessed within the refuge.

Section 10666 states that, in the James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, the specified fish and mollusks may be taken under the authority of a sport fishing license as authorized by this code.

Section 10667 provides that, in the Dana Point Marine Life Refuge below the intertidal zone, the specified fish, mollusks, and crustaceans may be taken under the authority of a sportfishing license as authorized by this code. It is unlawful to enter the intertidal zone in the Dana Point Marine Life Refuge for the purpose of taking or possessing, or to take or possess, any species of fish, plant, or invertebrate. The term “intertidal zone” is defined.