Pilots: Know Before You Go!

Final Rule on Overflight Regulations for the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of Farallones and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuaries

Full text of the amendment to the Overflight Regulations for the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of Farallones, and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuaries are posted in the Federal Register (Vol 77, No.17; Jan. 26, 2012) as the Final Rule (PDF, 160KB) effective Feb. 27, 2012.

The Rule requires that motorized aircraft maintain certain minimum altitudes above specified locations within the boundaries of the listed sanctuaries and states that failure to comply with the minimum altitude prohibition is presumed to disturb marine mammals and seabirds and is a violation of the sanctuary regulations. The final rule does not create a new regulation but clarifies existing overflight regulations that have been in place for many years. This amendment standardizes the application of our existing sanctuary regulations, so that the information can be accurately displayed on the aeronautical sectional charts. For additional information, visit NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries main website.

Overflight Laws and Regulations

Overflight regulation zones along the coast within Channel Islands, Monterey Bay and Gulf of Farallones Marine Sanctuaries require pilots to remain 1,000 feet AGL. Failure to comply with this minimum altitude limit is presumed to disturb marine mammals and seabirds and is a violation of sanctuary regulations.
Federal law prohibits the use of aircraft to disturb or harass wldlife.

Click the map to download geographic information depicting the central California National Marine Sanctuaries overflight regulation areas. Direct flyovers or multiple passes where sensitive wildlife are located can harm both pilots and wildlife.

Additional Resources

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Overflight Regulation Boundaries

Help protect California's coastal wildlife!