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

picture of the CBNMS advisory council
Apply

Cordell Bank Seeks Applicants for Sanctuary Advisory Council Positions

The Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary seeks applicants for the Community-at-Large Marin County, Education, Fishing, Maritime Activities, and Research seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council. The council advises the sanctuary superintendent on priority issues and connects local communities with the sanctuary, while providing opportunities for information exchange on issues affecting the health of the sanctuary. Members represent a variety of interests including research, conservation, education, recreation and commercial activities. Learn more and apply.

colorful image of rocky habitat with invertebrates
StoryMap

Fantastic Ocean Places you can "Bank" on!

Explore a StoryMap about banks in sanctuaries.

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

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 15 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.