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.
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.
The latest climate vulnerability information builds on the 2015 report for key species, habitats, ecosystem services, and maritime heritage resources of the north-central California coast and ocean including Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries, as well as the northern portion of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Blue Carbon in Marine Protected Areas: Part 3 demonstrates the carbon storage value of offshore marine protected areas and identifies seafloor carbon “hotspots” based on a novel relationship between sediment grain size and organic carbon content. This report provides an estimate of carbon storage in the sanctuaries’ surficial sediments, and discusses various sources of disturbance to the seabed and the importance of seabed protection.
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.
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.
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is entirely offshore, making visiting in person fairly difficult. Visit from afar through exhibits with our partners.
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.
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 16 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.
