Kelp Forest Ecosystems Posters | Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

This collection of posters highlight which national marine sanctuaries kelp forest inhabit and other newly released resources in light of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries' 50th Anniversary.

The Farallon Islands provide a dramatic backdrop to the highly productive and diverse marine ecosystem around them. Common murres can be seen nesting in colonies on the rocky cliffs and diving for food. Below the waves, a white shark takes center stage while sea lions swim among bull kelp forests. Other species offshore and along the rocky shore include Chinook salmon, blue rockfish, red abalone, sea stars, red and purple urchins, and pink encrusted algae.

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

In celebration of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries' 50th Anniversary, this poster features Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, located off the Northern Coast California. A special place for endangered species, sensitive habitats, historic shipwrecks, and cultural resources, this poster highlights the true beauty and importance of the waters surrounding Greater Farallones.

A crew of modern-day Chumash pullers paddle a Tomol (plank canoe) under the milky way and past Anacapa Island's lighthouse and arch rock. Below the waves reveal a kelp forest where California sea lions swim among a garibaldi, leopard shark, white abalone, California spiny lobster, California sheephead, giant sea bass, sea stars, and red and purple urchins.

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

This poster features Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, located off the coast of central California and celebrates the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries’ 50th Anniversary. A special place for endangered species, sensitive habitats, historic shipwrecks, and cultural resources, this poster highlights the true beauty and importance of the waters surrounding the Channel Islands.

Giant Kelp

This Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary poster features a Southern Sea Otter swimming through a kelp forest.