Kelp beds along the coast of California are a critical habitat for many species of invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals. Title 14, California Code of Regulations, designates 87 "Administrative Kelp Beds" (hereinafter kelp beds) for the purposes of managing commercial kelp harvest. The 87 kelp beds extend from the U.S.A.-Mexico border to the California-Oregon border and surround each of the Channel Islands. Each kelp bed falls within one of the following management categories: open, closed, leaseable, and lease only. Open kelp beds are available to commercial kelp harvest, leases cannot be issued; Closed kelp beds are closed to all kelp harvesting; Leaseable kelp beds are available for kelp harvesting until the bed is leased, at which time only the lessee may harvest; Lease only kelp beds are closed to all kelp harvesting unless an exclusive lease is obtained. Kelp beds which are leased are desiginated as such.

Updates: The kelp bed boundaries contained in this shapefile were redefined effective April 1, 2014. In addition, the status of leases were updated on Aprl 1, 2020.

Fish and Game Code 6650-6751 and Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Sections 165 and 165.5 contain regulations for the harvest of kelp.