We protect the wildlife, habitats, and cultural resources of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world, an area of 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast. The waters within Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary are a nationally significant marine ecosystem, and support an abundance of life, including many threatened and endangered species.
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) will meet virtually via Google Meet on Thursday, May 21. The meeting, which is open to the public, will include updates from Greater Farallones, Cordell Bank, and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuary superintendents, a presentation on incorporating SAC comments on recreation and tourism promotion in GFNMS, and a presentation on the GFNMS response to SAC Tomales Bay native oyster recommendations. Visit the SAC Meeting Information webpage for the meeting agenda and details.
Brisk spring winds churn up cold, nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean, and sunlight sparks photosynthesis in microscopic sea plants. Tiny animals feed on them, and in turn become food for fish, seabirds, sharks and whales. Seabirds breed in raucous colonies on islands and cliffs, and giant whales move in to feast on fish and krill. The Pacific High pressure system holds storms at bay, sometimes shrouding the coast in fog.
October 2018 marked 25 years of data collection through the Beach Watch project. Beach Watch is the National Ocean Service flagship citizen-science program, which documents live and dead birds and mammals, human activities and oil pollution along our coast. With sanctuary biologists, over 150 specially trained volunteer surveyors, monitor sanctuary beaches every two weeks. Watch this award winning video to learn more (16th Annual San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival, 2019 Citizen Science Award).
With one-third of the Climate Adaptation Plan's strategies focusing on better understanding and managing sediment along the coast as an effective tool for increasing climate resilience, the Sanctuary developed the Coastal Resilience Sediment Plan, a comprehensive and collaborative approach to climate-informed sediment management along the North-central California coast.
Bolinas Lagoon is an internationally recognized tidal estuary with complex habitat types that support a myraid of plant, bird, terrestrial, and marine species. Just 15 miles north of San Francisco, the Lagoon faces current and future environmental challenges from flooding, erosion, and sea level rise, that threaten its surrounding natural and built environments. Learn more about how Greater Farallones and GFA are working together to help this important ecosystem adapt to these changes so that people, plants, and animals can continue to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Bolinas Lagoon.
Beach Watch is the National Ocean Service flagship citizen science program, developed in 1993 to document changes along the California coast. With sanctuary biologists, hundreds of specially trained members of the community conduct surveys to monitor the sanctuary shoreline.
Beach Watch is recruiting volunteers to monitor southern Sonoma and San Mateo beaches. Click here for more information.
Artist Andrea Fischer explored the five West Coast national marine sanctuaries this past summer and created a unique painting for each.
The ocean takes care of us; let's return the favor. Visit Thank You Ocean.
The Greater Farallones Association (GFA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary habitats and wildlife through the development of a diverse community of informed and active ocean stewards.
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary