Learn - Morro Bay National Estuary Program

Meet the Morro Bay Estuary

Morro Bay is a unique area on California’s Central Coast where fresh water from our creeks joins with the salty waters of the ocean to form an estuary. This ecologically rich area supports abundant eelgrass beds, a thriving shellfish farming industry, and a bustling tourist destination that draws visitors from around the world.

The Morro Bay National Estuary Program is a local nonprofit that works to protect and restore Morro Bay and the lands that surround it for people and wildlife. For 30 years, the program has conducted monitoring, restoration, and education efforts in collaboration with the community, government, nonprofits, and landowners. We work to preserve natural habitats while maintaining balanced uses of the bay.

Continue reading to find answers to some of the common questions we get about the health of the estuary and watershed.

Frequently Asked Questions
about Morro Bay

Click the images to learn more!

Is Morro Bay safe for swimming?

Does Morro Bay support healthy eelgrass beds?

Is the bay clean enough to support commercial shellfish farming?

Is water in the creeks and bay clean enough for fish and aquatic life?

Are the bay and creeks impacted by accelerated sedimentation?

Do the estuary and watershed support a healthy population of steelhead?

Are bird populations that depend on the bay and surrounding lands stable?

How will extreme weather events likely affect the Morro Bay watershed and estuary?

Are important natural areas being protected, enhanced, and restored?

What Can You Do to Help Keep Morro Bay
Clean and Healthy?

Develop Bay-Friendly Habits

Even small actions can make a difference. Here are some things you can do to help protect the bay and the lands that surround it.

Pick it up.

Cleaning up pet waste helps keep harmful bacteria out of the bay and creeks, protecting the waters for people and wildlife.

Watch what goes down the drain.

Storm drains direct runoff into the nearest waterway, whether that’s a creek or the bay. Help keep chemicals, trash, and yard waste out of drains.

Manage that trash.

Stow trash in the right receptacle so it doesn’t end up in the bay where it can harm wildlife.

Be a responsible boater.

Make sure that your boat’s waste-holding tank is free of leaks and always dispose of your waste properly on shore.

The Estuary Program sincerely thanks its many partners, volunteers, and committee members for their dedication to the Morro Bay estuary and their continued support. The information on this page was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. EPA.