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 published a federal register notice and request for public comment on two new categories of special use permits that would allow desalination facilities to operate in national marine sanctuaries. The proposed categories would allow the placement of a pipeline on the seafloor to transport seawater to or from a desalination facility; and the use of sediment in the sanctuary to filter seawater for desalination. In addition, NOAA plans to collect fees for special use permits and is proposing a methodology to determine the fair market value associated with each of the new categories of activities. While ONMS is currently reviewing proposals for the construction of desalination plants in California, the special use permits proposed in the notice could be applied across the National Marine Sanctuary System.
The Sonoma Coast Doghole Port Project surveyed the submerged and terrestrial archaeological resources associated with northern California’s Redwood Coast lumber trade. The project team from California State Parks and NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries documented visible sites, features, structures, and artifacts to reveal the maritime cultural landscape of the Sonoma coast doghole ports and their role in the region’s history. New pages have been added for each port surveyed.
Greater Farallones Association is seeking a full-time (40 hours per week) experienced Program Manager for the Seabird Protection Network. Applications are due by Feb 1, 2017.
Public invited to comment on proposals for Mallows Bay - Potomac River and Wisconsin - Lake Michigan national marine sanctuaries.
Please join us at our next public meeting. Review the topics on the agenda.
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.
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.