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Through partnerships with state and federal agencies, and academic and research institutions, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary seeks out the broader scientific community to ensure that the most effective and rigorous science can be attained.

Our goal is to create sound scientific information available for resource management, monitoring, interpretation, education, planning and policy needs.

Click here for more information on conducting research within Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

Feature Site Characterization Project - Benthic Habitat Mapping

Credit: Lisa Etherington, CBNMS

High resolution backscatter and bathymetry data have been collected on Cordell Bank and surrounding soft bottom areas and are being used to develop a benthic habitat map. Habitat characteristics such as slope, rugosity, depth, and substrate type are being used to describe the physical habitats that make up Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary and to relate these seafloor features to benthic community patterns.

Click here for a visualization of the seafloor features of Cordell Bank.

Read about other Sanctuary Site Characterization Projects.

Feature Monitoring Program - Cordell Bank Oceanographic Buoy

Credit: Michael Carver, CBNMS

The Cordell Bank oceanographic buoy is comprised of sensors for measuring water velocity, water temperature and salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll fluorescence, and wind velocity. The mooring is placed at 85m depth, on the northern part of Cordell Bank, about 20 nautical miles west of Point Reyes. This buoy provides near-real-time data that are linked with regional coastal ocean observing systems and are used by Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary staff, research oceanographers, and local communities to better understand offshore ocean conditions..

Read about other Sanctuary Monitoring Programs.

Feature Research Program - Tracking Black-footed Albatross

Starting in July 2004, Oikonos - Ecosystem Knowledge in collaboration with Duke University, Moss Landing Marine Labs, U.S.G.S., and Claremont Colleges, launched a multi-disciplinary study "Exploring Albatross Movements" to address two priorities: (i) to provide needed information on the conservation status of the Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) off the West Coast of North America, and (ii) to enhance the understanding of the foraging grounds and movements of this threatened species across the North Pacific Ocean. With support of the Sanctuary's research vessels C. Magister and Phocoena, a total of 28 birds were tagged in the summers of 2004 - 2007. To learn more about this study, download papers and articles, and track the newly tagged birds in 2007, visit www.oikonos.org/albatross.htm. Stay tuned to www.signalsofspring.net/ACES for educational materials developed in partnership with NOAA.

Read about other Sanctuary Research Projects.

Feature vessel/technology - R/V Fulmar

Credit: Paul Chetirken, MBNMS

The National Marine Sanctuary Program's new 67-foot R/V Fulmar will be used to greatly expand and enhance research, education and emergency response programs for the west coast region. The vessel is homeported at the Monterey Harbor in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and also serves the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries.


Read about other Sanctuary Vessels and Technology.

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