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.
We are teaming up with Ocean Exploration Trust to explore the marine ecosystems of the West Coast Region. Working aboard the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus, scientists will map and explore sanctuary sites along the Washington and California coasts.
Researchers will conduct mapping operations and use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to investigate Olympic Coast, Cordell Bank, Greater Farallones, Monterey Bay and Channel Islands national marine sanctuaries.
As an update to our 2010 Climate Impacts Report, this newly released profile re-assesses key climate-driven impacts to Sanctuary wildlife and habitats, with refined projections. Our latest work on climate change is also highlighted, as well as the critical importance of blue carbon in mitigating impacts.
As the winds slow or reverse direction in the fall, the ocean 'relaxes,' upwelling ceases, and warm surface waters shift back toward the coast. Larval fish and invertebrates are swept inshore to settle and grow. Seabird rookeries fall quiet as the last chicks fledge. The water becomes clearer, inviting white sharks to delectable seal meals.
October 2018 marked 25 years of data collection through the Beach Watch project. Beach Watch is the National Ocean Service flagship citizen-science program, which documents live and dead birds and mammals, human activities and oil pollution along our coast. With sanctuary biologists, over 150 specially trained volunteer surveyors, monitor sanctuary beaches every two weeks. Watch this award winning video to learn more (16th Annual San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival, 2019 Citizen Science Award).
With one-third of the Climate Adaptation Plan's strategies focusing on better understanding and managing sediment along the coast as an effective tool for increasing climate resilience, the Sanctuary developed the Coastal Resilience Sediment Plan, a comprehensive and collaborative approach to climate-informed sediment management along the North-central California coast.
Bolinas Lagoon is an internationally recognized tidal estuary with complex habitat types that support a myraid of plant, bird, terrestrial, and marine species. Just 15 miles north of San Francisco, the Lagoon faces current and future environmental challenges from flooding, erosion, and sea level rise, that threaten its surrounding natural and built environments. Learn more about how Greater Farallones and GFA are working together to help this important ecosystem adapt to these changes so that people, plants, and animals can continue to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Bolinas Lagoon.
Beach Watch is the National Ocean Service flagship citizen science program, developed in 1993 to document changes along the California coast. With sanctuary biologists, hundreds of specially trained members of the community conduct surveys to monitor the sanctuary shoreline.
Beach Watch is recruiting volunteers to monitor southern Sonoma and San Mateo beaches. Click here for more information.
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.
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary