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.
Witness the mighty gray whale migration on this naturalist led half-day cruise. We “join” their annual southbound migration through our marine sanctuaries as they travel from Arctic feeding grounds to Baja California breeding grounds. Learn about their natural history, their recovery from near extinction, and the survival challenges posed by their roughly 12,000 mile round-trip journey. Discover the natural history and adaptations of the seabirds, porpoises, seals and sea lions we encounter.
A Resilient Lands and Waters Initiative report and companion website recognize the efforts of seven partnerships to build resilience of natural resources in the U.S.. These partnerships demonstrate the benefits of using existing collaborative, landscape-scale conservation approaches to address climate change and other resource management challenges.
Presentations were made by researchers studying the extraordinary marine life, oceanography and geology of the central San Francisco Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, Bodega Bay and Cordell Bank regions and adjacent waters between Point Arena and Point Año. Read the proceedings.
There are plenty of fun activities in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Get into your sanctuary, and help us spread the word by sharing your favorite sanctuary stories with the hashtag, #ILoveMySanctuary.
NOAA expanded the boundaries of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS) and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) to an area north and west of their old boundaries, and amended and added new regulations in 2015. NOAA also revised the corresponding sanctuary terms of designation and management plans. Read the final documents. GFNMS changed its name to Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary in 2016.
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.