NOAA expands Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries off northern California
Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries off northern California will both more than double in size following a final rule released today by NOAA. The expansion will help to protect the region's marine and coastal habitats, biological resources and special ecological features.
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, located 42 miles north of San Francisco, will expand from 529 square miles to 1,286 square miles. Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary will expand from 1,282 square miles to 3,295 square miles of ocean and coastal waters.
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Map of expanded Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
Credit: NOAA
Deep sea habitats in Bodega Canyon, part of the expanded Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary provide unique habitat to long nose skate, sunflower stars and more.
Credit: CBNMS/NOAA
These deep sea crinoids are an ancient seastar that utilize the deep sea habitats in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
Credit: CBNMS/NOAA
Unique geologic formations along the coast provide different textures and habitats for wildlife.
Credit: Matt McIntosh/NOAA
Bull kelp forests provide numerous habitats for nearshore fish and invertebrate species in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Credit: Jared Figurski, UCSC
The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary provides habitat for Steller’s sea lions.
Courtesy of Robert J. Wilson
Gray whales migrate south and north along the coast and prime viewing locations during migration season include Point Arena and Bodega Head.
Credit: NOAA
The sanctuary expansion expands Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary to just north of Point Arena.
Credit: Matt McIntosh/NOAA
Visitors look out at California's historic Point Arena Lighthouse, which sits near the new northern boundary of the expanded Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
Credit: Matt McIntosh/NOAA
Blue rockfish hover in the bull kelp forests and thrive in the food rich ocean waters along the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary coastline.
Credit: Chad King/NOAA
The deep water habitats in the expanded Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary harbor deep sea invertebrates and fishes such as these crinoids, sea cucumbers and rosethorn rockfish.
Credit: CBNMS/NOAA
The relatively unexplored depths of Bodega Canyon within the expansion area offer fragile habitat to deep sea sponges, corals, and other invertebrates and fishes.
Credit: NOAA
When the tide is out, the rocky shores of Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary reveal hundreds of invertebrates, like these sea stars.
Courtesy of Joe Heath
Look for harbor seals hauled out to rest or pup, along the shores of the expansion area of Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Courtesy of Bob Talbot
Sometimes seen in herds of over 1,000 animals throughout sanctuary protected waters, Pacific white-sided dolphins are known for their speed and acrobatic leaps.
Credit: NOAA/SWFSC/Sophie Webb
Black abalone are endangered and can be found in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Credit: Steve Lonhart/NOAA
Common Murres are abundant along the California coast and are still recovering from historic egg collecting, fisheries bycatch and oil spill mortality.
Courtesy of Bob Talbot
Shell Beach in Sonoma is one of the new intertidal monitoring sites LiMPETS program middle and high school will be studying in the expansion area.
Credit: Monika Krach/Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA)
Tidepools teem with life in many colors and species.
Credit: Monika Krach/Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA)
LiMPETS program students monitor intertidal communities over time and gain first hand field science experience.
Credit: Monika Krach/Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA)
Beach Watch volunteers training on Sonoma Coast. Beach Watch trains citizen-scientists to survey and document the resources of the sanctuaries.
Credit: NOAA
Beach Watch volunteers training on Sonoma Coast. Beach Watch trains citizen-scientists to survey and document the resources of the sanctuaries.
Credit: NOAA
