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Sanctuary Information
Location:
About 20 nautical miles off Santa Barbara.
Coordinates:
Latitude: 34 N Longitude: 120 W
Size:
1,128 square nautical miles (approximately 1,500 square miles)
Designation:
September, 1980
Description:
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) is part
of a National program which includes 13 marine sanctuaries around
the country. The National
Marine Sanctuary Program is administered by NOAA
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) within the
Department of Commerce. Congress passed the National Marine Research
and Sanctuaries act in 1972 in response to a growing awareness
of the intrinsic natural, cultural and historical value of our
oceanic and coastal waters. National Marine Sanctuaries are special
places around the country for scuba diving, sport fishing and
wildlife viewing. Sanctuary waters provide a safe haven for species
close to extinction and protect historically significant shipwrecks
and cultural artifacts. They also support valuable commercial
industries such as fishing, boating and tourism. National Marine
Sanctuaries promote comprehensive management of special ecological,
historical, and recreational marine resources. Part of the challenge
in managing these special areas is balancing multiple uses. A
comprehensive ecosystem management approach is used promote long
term conservation of Sanctuary waters.
CINMS
boundaries extend from mean high tide to six nautical miles offshore
San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Barbara
Islands. A fertile combination of warm and cool currents in this
area results in a great variety of plants and animals including
large nearshore forests of giant kelp, flourishing populations
of fish and invertebrates, and abundant and diverse populations
of cetaceans, pinnipeds and marine birds. The secluded and relatively
undisturbed waters of the Sanctuary also provide full or part-time
homes for several endangered species including blue, humpback
and sei whales, southern sea otters, the California brown pelican
and the California least tern.
The
Sanctuary completely surrounds the Channel
Islands National Park and this special area has been designated
as a United Nations World Biosphere Reserve.
Species:
More than 27 species of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) use the
sanctuary during at least part of the year. There are also 5 species
of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) that occur in the area. More
than 60 species of birds feed in the sanctuary and more than 23
species of sharks occur here.
Additional
Information: A wealth of Chumash Native American artifacts as
well as the remains of over 100 historic shipwrecks line the ocean
floor of the sanctuary.
The
Sanctuary has a cooperative agreement with the Santa
Barbara Museum of Natural History to provide a wide range
of education programs including the Sea
Center; an aquarium and educational facility, and Los
Marineros, a marine education program for children.
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