The implementation of marine protected areas (MPA) off the coast of La Jolla will be delayed until January 2012 — the result of a Sept. 15 decision by the California Fish and Game Commission. The Commission had voted on Dec. 15, 2010 to adopt the network of 49 new MPAs in Southern California, stretching from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border and increasing protection for marine life along the San Diego coast from about one percent to slightly more than seven percent. One of the biggest victories for conservationists in the December decision was the expansion of the marine reserve in south La Jolla. That reserve’s boundaries were increased by two city blocks, bringing it to slightly more than seven square miles. The area is considered to be one of the top biological hot spots in Southern California, according to San Diego Coastkeeper. The MPAs were expected to take effect on Oct. 1, but after the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) requested clarification and further information regarding the adoption of the network of MPAs, a handful of errors were cited by the OAL and the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) was required to resubmit certain documents. It was determined that the Oct. 1 implementation date would not allow sufficient time for review and approval of the information by OAL, and that a Jan. 1 date would allow for the commission and the DFG to better inform ocean users of the new regulations.