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.
NOAA has finalized a rule to allow the U.S. Coast Guard to carry out otherwise prohibited vessel sewage, graywater and training-related discharges, seaward of approximately 3 nautical miles from shore, within the areas added to Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries' boundaries when they expanded in 2015. NOAA is allowing these exceptions to the discharge prohibitions in order to address Coast Guard concerns about both complying with the discharge prohibitions in the larger, expanded sanctuaries and continuing to complete its mission requirements.
Deep-sea corals and sponges are some of the oldest animals on Earth, living for hundreds of years at depths that defy direct human observation. Coral, sponge, and fish communities thrive in the cold, deep waters off California's coast, but are rarely – if ever – visited or studied.
Storms from the north and west build enormous swells and bring winter squalls. Tendrils of freshwater flow out the Golden Gate, swirling into the gulf, changing its chemistry.
Coastal waters are at their coldest. Gray whales pass near shore en route from Arctic feeding grounds to Mexican breeding grounds, while elephant seals, fattened by months foraging at sea, gather on beaches to enact primal mating and pupping rituals. Seabirds 'prospect' for nesting sites on the Farallones and coastal cliffs. Between storms the air shimmers brilliantly above the frigid ocean surface.
The newest chapter of the Seabird Protection Network will focus its efforts on sensitive seabird colonies along the coast of Humboldt County. The chapter partners with citizen scientists to monitor for human disturbances and will develop outreach strategies to change behaviors, ensuring healthy seabird colonies on the North Coast. Read more about the chapter and how to volunteer as a seabird monitor.
After a two-year community-based, public process to address more than 100 non-compliant moorings in Tomales Bay, 2017 marks the year that all abandoned moorings, docks and vessels were removed from Tomales Bay, including abandoned moorings and docks in eelgrass beds. The Tomales Bay Mooring Program has brought the rest of the moorings into compliance and prohibits the placement of any future moorings in or adjacent to eelgrass. This is expected to result in significant restoration and long-term protection of the eelgrass beds and other sensitive habitats of Tomales Bay, as well as improve water quality and promote safer water-related recreation. Read about the Mooring Program, eelgrass protection and Tomales Bay.
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.
