California's central coast now off-limits for drilling and some fishing

A new federal marine sanctuary off California's central coast is now officially in effect. This means new rules for fishing, shipping, and other ocean activities in a large protected area.

Coastal communities and environmental groups have pushed for stronger protections for this stretch of ocean for decades. The new sanctuary designation means oil and gas drilling is now permanently banned, and commercial fishing will face new restrictions. This shifts the balance of power from resource extraction to conservation for a significant part of the California coast.