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 the hot topics below, or support us by joining the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association.
Hot topics
Public Advisory Council Meeting Held Feb 23 in Bodega Bay
Feb 2012
The public meeting of sanctuary advisors was held at Bodega Marine Lab on Feb 23, 2012. Review meeting materials
Sanctuary Superintendent Report
Feb 2012
Superintendent Brown reports on research symposium, Council action to support sanctuary expansion, removal of a fishing vessel off Stinson Beach, and more. Read the complete report (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)
Farallones Marine Sanctuary Assoociation
Jul 2011
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
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
Press Room
May 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 .
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