Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a federally protected marine area offshore of California's central coast. Stretching from Marin to Cambria, it encompasses a shoreline length of 276 miles and 5,322 square miles of ocean. Supporting one of the world's most diverse marine ecosystems, it is home to numerous mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates, and plants in a remarkably productive coastal environment. The MBNMS was established for the purpose of resource protection, research, education, and public use of this national treasure. It is part of a system of thirteen National Marine Sanctuaries administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

MBNMS was designated in 1992 to protect unique marine resources along the Central California coast, enhance research to better manage and protect those resources, encourage educational activities to increase the public's understanding of those resources, and to provide a forum to facilitate multiple-use and reduce multiple-use conflicts.

The Sanctuary protects many marine habitats along the coast and the plants and animals that make their homes there. Activities that could cause long-term harm to the ocean's health -- like oil drilling -- are completely prohibited. Many others, like fishing and boating, are allowed. Such other activities as educational and scientific studies are allowed, but monitored.

The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation whose goal is to promote protection and public understanding of the Sanctuary. Incorporated in 1995, the Foundation focuses its efforts on conducting research and educating the public about the extraordinary environment and resources of the Central California Coast. As a private organization, the Foundation is able to solicit funds from individuals and public and private entities. It has the flexibility to implement programs and projects that complement the NOAA initiatives.

See maps of the sanctuary.

We would like to thank Heather Cauldwell, Administrative Assistant, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, for providing information for this page.

Intertidal Glossary:

  1. Splash Zone - almost always exposed to air
  2. High Intertidal Zone - exposed to air for a long periods twice a day
  3. Mid-Intertidal Zone - exposed to air briefly once or twice a day
  4. Low Intertidal Zone - only exposed to air during the lowest tides of the year

Flora

Fauna