Imagery for Media

Rockfish schooling over colorful invertebrates — Credit: Rob Lee/BAUE

For more images visit: Sanctuary Simon Website, ONMS FLICKR account

Southeast Farallon Island and blue ocean — Credit: Bob Schwemmer/NOAA
The Farallon Islands, while protected as a US Fish and Wildlife refuge, serve as a resting and breeding spot for numerous species that feed in the protected waters of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary protected waters.

Point Arena Lighthouse and coastal bluffs — Credit: Bob Schwemmer/NOAA
The Point Arena lighthouse overlooks the northern region of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

an individual krill sits on a fingertip — Credit: Jaime Jahnke/Point Blue/NOAA
Krill is a tiny crustacean that plays a big role in the ocean food web providing food for hundreds of marine mammal, fish, seabird, and invertebrate species.

bull kelp blades in the current underwater with light blue shallow water behind — Credit: Keith Johnson
Kelp forests are recognized as highly dynamic ecosystems that support dense populations of fishes, invertebrates, and other algal species, and play a role in the carbon cycle.

a BeachWatch volunteer in a dark blue jacket handles a dead bird on the beach with a glove on the hand — Credit: Nick Zachar/NOAA
The BeachWatch program trains community members to be sanctuary scientists to survey and document the resources and activities happening throughout the edges of the sanctuary.

thousands of common murres sitting on Southeast Farallon Island — Credit: Sophie Webb/ONMS
Over 300,000 common murres breed on the Farallon Islands, and benefit from the food- rich Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary waters for quick trips for meals.

colorful pink and white invertebrates and a rockfish on Cordell Bank — Credit: Rob Lee/BAUE
Cordell Bank is a rocky reef on the seafloor that rises up to within 115 feet of the ocean surface. It is home to thousands of invertebrates competing for space in food plentiful waters.

blue sky and dramatic clouds over Bolinas Lagoon and some fennel plants in front — Credit: Matt Mcintosh/NOAA
Bolinas Lagoon is a world renowned tidal estuary with unique habitats and ecosystem services that support wildlife and people.

Common Murres on edges of rocks — Credit: Mojoscoast/NOAA
These penguin-like birds nest close together on slopes and cliffs on the Farallon Islands and along coastal rocks. They are vulnerable to oil spills.

a fly trap anemone and primnoid deep- sea coral with a brittle star on it — Credit: Ocean Exploration Trust/NOAAONMS
The deep- water habitats of Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries are brim with deep water coral and sponge communities creating habitat to support a wide diversity of invertebrate and fish life.

an ocean sunfish on the surface — Credit: ONMS/PointBlue/Mapsforgood
Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) frequent the surface waters and eat jellies.

a green anemone with tentacles out — Credit: Jody Parker
The intertidal area at the coast edge offers amazing wildlife viewing opportunities at low tides.

a humpback whale breaches and belly and fore flippers are visible — Credit: Bob Schwemmer/NOAA
Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries are destination feeding areas for endangered humpback whales starting in late spring through winter when they come to feed on schooling fish and krill.

Humpback whales lunge feed — Credit: Douglas Croft
Humpback whales travel from Mexico waters along the coast and spend time feeding in sanctuary waters seasonally.

blue whale fluke with ocean in background — Credit: Scot Anderson
Endangered blue whales, the biggest air-breathing mammals on Earth travel to Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries in the summer and fall months to feed on krill.

Videos

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary B-Roll

Views of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and close ups of marine life.
Credit: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary B-Roll

Marine life and habitats in Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Credit: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries