Imagery for Media
For more images visit: Sanctuary Simon Website, ONMS FLICKR account
Sanctuary regulations prohibit leaving vessels or other marine debris in the sanctuary, as well as discharging fuel, debris, or other matter.
Deep-sea corals and sponges provide shelter and food for a variety of fish and invertebrate species.
Seabirds like common murres rely on the sanctuary for feeding and nesting.
The USS Conestoga sank three miles off Southeast Farallon Island and is a military grave for its 56 crew, the wreck is now a vibrant habitat within the sanctuary: from this tragic loss comes new life.
The sanctuary supports conditions that make kayaking a popular wildlife watching adventure.
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.
The Point Arena lighthouse overlooks the northern region of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bolinas Lagoon is a world renowned tidal estuary with unique habitats and ecosystem services that support wildlife and people.
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.
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.
Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) frequent the surface waters and eat jellies.
The intertidal area at the coast edge offers amazing wildlife viewing opportunities at low tides.
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 travel from Mexico waters along the coast and spend time feeding in sanctuary waters seasonally.
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