Cordell Bank
National Marine Sanctuary

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is entirely offshore. Within its 1,286 square miles, the sanctuary protects soft seafloor habitat, a rocky bank, deep sea canyons, and communities of wildlife throughout. Its surface waters are feeding areas for local and migratory seabirds and marine mammals.

News

coral reef with many fish swimming
Watch

Explore the Blue: 360°: Cordell Bank Adventure

Take a virtual dive on Cordell Bank without getting wet and explore this colorful environment through this immersive experience. Discover colorful corals and anemones, rockfish, jellies, ocean sunfish and more.

Preview of Blue Carbon in MPA Part 3
Read

Blue Carbon in Marine Protected Areas Part 3:
An Evaluation of Sedimentary Carbon Stocks in Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
cover of Cordell Bank condition report with colorful invertebrate and fish life
Read

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary publishes Condition Report detailing conditions and trends of sanctuary resources

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Poster

Ocean conditions and undersea topography combine to fuel a rich and diverse marine community around Cordell Bank. The rocky bank is encrusted with colorful anemones, sponges, and corals and provides habitat for species like top snails, decorator crabs, rosy rockfish, lingcod, and giant Pacific octopus. The waters above and around the bank concentrate krill, juvenile rockfish, anchovy, and jellies attracting ocean sunfish, California sea lions, and the blue whale.

Ocean conditions and undersea topography combine to fuel a rich and diverse marine community around Cordell Bank. The rocky bank is encrusted with colorful anemones, sponges, and corals and provides habitat for species like top snails, decorator crabs, rosy rockfish, lingcod, and giant Pacific octopus. The waters above and around the bank concentrate krill, juvenile rockfish, anchovy, and jellies attracting ocean sunfish, California sea lions, and the blue whale.

Conservation Science

A Fish hides in corals

The offshore location of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary makes for an ideal “ocean” study area. Sanctuary scientists collaborate with universities, nongovernmental organizations, federal agencies, and others to learn about and monitor these biodiverse waters.

Visit from Afar

An indoor exhibit with replica sea creatures hanginf from the ceiling

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is entirely offshore, making visiting in person fairly difficult. Visit from afar through exhibits with our partners.

Tune into the Ocean!

a man looks over the ocean through mounted binocularsOcean Currents, Tune into the ocean!

The ocean covers 75% of our planet – we truly live on Planet Ocean. Join our sanctuary educator for the monthly Ocean Currents radio program. Tune in to discover the depths and far reaches of this watery realm. We'll talk with experts in the field about current research, management issues, natural history, and stewardship associated with the marine environment, especially in our national marine sanctuaries.

National Marine Sanctuary System

national marine Sanctuary system map

Safeguarding America's Premier Marine Places

From Washington state to the Gulf of America and from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Islands, the National Marine Sanctuary System protects 18 underwater parks spanning over 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. By investing in innovative solutions, we strengthen these iconic places to address 21st-century challenges while supporting America's commerce and tourism. These unique locations inspire people to visit, value, and steward our nation’s iconic ocean and Great Lakes waters.