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.

Permissions are granted for media use.

Press Release Expansion Information

Map of expanded Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries — Map of expanded Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries

Credit: NOAA

Download Image

Download PDF

B-Roll video for the Gulf of Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries expansion

Credit: NOAA

Download B-Roll Video

Download B-Roll Description

long nose skate, sunflower star at the bottom of bodega canyon — 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

Download

close up view of deep sea crinoids — These deep sea crinoids are an ancient seastar that utilize the deep sea habitats in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

Credit: CBNMS/NOAA

Download

scenic view of the unique geologic ormartion along the coast — Unique geologic formations along the coast provide different textures and habitats for wildlife.

Credit: Matt McIntosh/NOAA

Download

view of kelp forest, looking up to the surface — 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

Download

steller sea lions resting on the beach — The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary provides habitat for Steller’s sea lions.

Courtesy of Robert J. Wilson

Download

gray whale and calf breaching the water surface — Gray whales migrate south and north along the coast and prime viewing locations during migration season include Point Arena and Bodega Head.

Credit: NOAA

Download

landscape view of point arena lighthose in the background, water in the foreground — The sanctuary expansion expands Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary to just north of Point Arena.

Credit: Matt McIntosh/NOAA

Download

lisitors look out at California's historic Point Arena Lighthouse — 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

Download

close up of a Blue rockfish — 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

Download

view of a rockfish near the sea floor — 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

Download

view from above of corals in bodega canyon — 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

Download

close up of sea stars — 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

Download

close up of a harbor seal — 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

Download

Pacific white-sided dolphin jumping out of the water — 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

Download

close up view of a black abalone — Black abalone are endangered and can be found in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Credit: Steve Lonhart/NOAA

Download

two common murres sitting on a rock — 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

Download

landscape view of shell beach in sonoma — 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)

Download

Tidepool — Tidepools teem with life in many colors and species.

Credit: Monika Krach/Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA)

Download

students monitoring intertidal community — LiMPETS program students monitor intertidal communities over time and gain first hand field science experience.

Credit: Monika Krach/Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA)

Download

Beach Watch volunteers training on Sonoma Coast. Beach Watch trains citizen-scientists to survey and document the resources of the sanctuaries.

Credit: NOAA

Download

Beach Watch volunteers training on Sonoma Coast. Beach Watch trains citizen-scientists to survey and document the resources of the sanctuaries.

Credit: NOAA

Download