Welcome to Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

We protect the wildlife and habitats of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world, an area of 1,282 square miles off the northern and central California coast. Located just a few miles from San Francisco, the waters within Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary are part of a nationally significant marine ecosystem. Encompassing a diversity of highly productive marine habitats, the sanctuary supports an abundance of life, including many threatened or endangered species. Discover more about the sanctuary by diving into this website, reading "What's New" below, or support us by joining the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association.

What's New

Public Advisory Council Meeting - May 22 , 2013

May 2013

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary advisory council will hold a public meeting in San Francisco at the General's Residence in Upper Fort Mason. View the agenda.

Introduced Species Proposed Rule - Comment by May 17, 2013

Mar 2013

Two items of interest have been published in the Federal Register related to introduced species in MBNMS and GFNMS, defined as non-native species or any organism that has been genetically modified. The first item is the withdrawal of a notice of proposed rulemaking published in 2009. The second item is the new proposed rule, which proposes to apply the regulations to the entirety of both sanctuaries and provide exceptions for striped bass; and mariculture activities in Tomales Bay pursuant to a valid lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by the State of California. Read the Federal Register notices and provide public comment.

Avoid Seal Pups on California Beaches

Mar 2013

Spring is harbor seal pupping season, and newborns may be found alone on some Bay Area beaches while thier mom's go fishing! If you think a pup is hurt or abandoned, don't try to rescue it yourself Find out how to prevent accidental 'pup-napping' and who to call.

Sanctuary Expansion

Mar 2013

NOAA is drafting an Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate expansion of Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank sanctuaries. Learn more.

Sanctuary Superintendent Report

Jan 2013

Superintendent Brown reports on sanctuary expansion, deep sea corals, vessel groundings and more. Read the complete report (PDF)

Thank You Ocean

Oct 2012

The ocean takes care of us; let's return the favor. Visit Thank You Ocean.

Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association

The Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary habitats and wildlife through the development of a diverse community of informed and active ocean stewards. Learn More

Archives

Abalone Soirée - Saturday, March 23rd, 7-9 pm

Mar 2013

Gastropod meets gastronomy at our "ab-solutely fabulous" Abalone Soirée at the Mavericks Event Center overlooking Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay. Savor a dainty bite of freshly prepared abalone and delve into the fascinating history of Monterey’s abalone industry with Fisheries Historian Tim Thomas. Learn more.

SF International Ocean Film Festival - March 7-10, 2013

Mar 2013

Dive into the ultimate cinemaquatic™ experience at the 10th Annual San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival, and celebrate the beauty, power and mystery of our water planet. Meet Jean-Michel Cousteau at the Opening Night Gala Thu, Mar 7, then take the plunge into the world of coastal cultures, ocean research, saltwater sports, adventure and conservation at the premier North American venue for all things ocean. Get details and tickets.

3rd Biennial Ocean Climate Summit

Feb 2013

The 3rd Biennial Ocean Climate Summit was held February 20, 2013 at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio of San Francisco. Learn more.

Maritime Resources

Feb 2013

NOAA completed consultation with the California's State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), as required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Read more.

PUBLIC ADVSORY COUNCIL MEETING - Held January 24, 2013

Jan 2013

A public meeting of sanctuary advisors to the Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary was held in Bodega Bay Grange Hall. View the agenda (PDF).

NOAA's Marine Sanctuary System Turns 40!

Oct 2012

On Oct 23, 1972, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act was signed, initiating ocean protection and conservation at a scope and scale never seen before. Today, fourteen magnificent protected areas and two generations later, NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System celebrates its 40th anniversary with a Top 40 list of its most significant accomplishments. Read the press release or Jean-Michel Cousteau's statement.

Deep Sea Coral & Sponge Exploration

Oct 2012

Sanctuary science staff recently explored Rittenburg Bank to discover lush underwater cold water coral reefs and abundant fish. Watch the exploration video or take a virtual flythrough.

Gov. Brown and Sec. Laird Support Sanctuary Expansion

Aug 2012

Secretary Laird wrote a letter on behalf of the governor and the state of California expressing the support for the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act of 2011. Read the letter.

Draft Tomales Bay Vessel Management Plan Released

Aug 2012

GFNMS and California State Lands Commission have released the Draft Tomales Bay Vessel Management Plan and Environmental Assessment/Initial Study. Download the plan and use the interactive map.

whale surfacing with boat in the distance

Advisory Council Adopt Working Group Reports

June 2012

The Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank Advisory Councils have adopted both completed Working Group reports: Vessel Strikes and Acoustic Impacts (report PDF) and Vessel Spills Response Technologies (report PDF).

NOAA Responds to Petition

Apr 2012

In June 2011 a consortium of environmental organizations petitioned NOAA to establish a 10-knot speed limit for vessels greater than 65 feet traveling within all California sanctuaries in order to protect whales from vessel strike and other negative impacts. See petition (PDF) & read NOAA's reponse (PDF).

Amended Overflight Regulations in West Coast Sanctuaries

Jan 2012

NOAA has amended its existing regulations on low overflights within designated zones of the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuaries. Read more

Research Symposium Proceedings Now Available

Jan 2012

Beyond the Golden Gate Research Symposium (BGGRS) proceedings, abstracts, PDFs of presentations & posters are now available online. On Nov 1, 2011 over 150 marine scientists convened for the symposium, co-hosted by NOAA’s Gulf of the Farallones. The presentations covered new, ongoing and recently completed research, monitoring and habitat characterization (mapping) projects to address conservation challenges, including historic and emerging issues.

Sanctuary Advisory Council Passes Resolution

Nov 2011

The Sanctuary Advisory Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of Boundary Expansion for the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctauries. Read the Resolution (PDF)

Press Room

Sep 2011

Sanctuary staff have been collaborating in a study of harbor porpoise which have recently returned to San Francisco Bay after an absence of approximately 65 years. This phenomenon has garnered attention from other researchers and media, and was the focus for our Spring lecture series. Check out the latest television coverage .

2010 Accomplishments Report

Jul 2011

Read the sanctuary's annual accomplishments report, available for download from the national program website.

White Shark Stewardship Project and Research

May 2011

The White Shark Stewardship Project is the umbrella for all white shark programs of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary issues permits to research teams studying white sharks in the sanctuary in order to obtain information about the local population that will enable improved management and conservation of this species. See recent and pending white shark research, independent review of white shark tagging, the draft environmental assessment and the timeline and video related to tagging conducted in the Farallones in 2009. Read More

Bolinas Lagoon Restoration

May 2011

On the ground restoration has begun at Bolinas Lagoon! Read more

Sanctuary Condition Report

Aug 2010

This "condition report," released in Aug 2010, provides a summary of resources in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, pressures on those resources, current conditions and trends, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment. Read more.

Climate Change Impacts Report

Jun 2010

"Climate Change Impacts: Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries" was released to the public at the California Academy of Sciences Planetarium on June 3, 2010, followed by a panel discussion with some of the report's authors. The report identifies potential climate change impacts to habitats and biological communities along the north-central California coast. Read More

Discover how YOU can help protect seabirds!

Jan 2010

However you use and visit the ocean; by aircraft, boat, paddle or on foot, your actions can affect the health and future of California's seabirds. Seabirds that nest and rest on cliffs or offshore rocks are sensitive to human disturbance. The goal of the Seabird Protection Network is to reduce human disturbance to wildlife. Find out how you can help protect seabirds!.

Sanctuary Management Plan

Nov 2009

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary's new management plan, released in Nov 2009, offers a vision and course for protecting the rich marine ecosystems of ocean and coastal waters off north-central California while continuing to allow compatible, sustainable human uses. The result of more than seven years of study, planning and extensive public input, these detailed documents are major revisions of the sanctuaries' original management plans and address key issues including ecosystem protection, wildlife disturbance, vessel traffic, water quality, non-native species and coastal development. The final plan consists primarily of non-regulatory actions, but some changes to sanctuary regulations clarify and strengthen protections for marine habitats, sensitive species, and submerged cultural and historical resources. Read more.