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The waters within six nautical
miles of the northern Channel Islands (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa
Cruz, and Anacapa Islands) and Santa Barbara Island were formally
designated as a national marine sanctuary in 1980, in accordance
with Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries
Act. The sanctuary lies between 8 and 40 nautical miles (nm) off
the southern California mainland, north of Los Angeles and immediately
south of the Santa Barbara Channel.
Encompassing approximately
1252 square nautical miles, the Channel Islands National Marine
Sanctuary includes a variety of nearshore habitats and unique marine
resources characteristic of the southern California bight. Being
relatively remote from the heavily urbanized mainland, the sanctuary
is considered a refuge for one of the largest and most diverse populations
of marine mammals and seabirds in the world. Six species of seals
and sea lions use the area as feeding grounds. Large numbers of
whales, dolphins, and resident seabirds also depend on the rich
waters of the sanctuary. Because of the major ocean currents that
meet in the vicinity of the islands, the fish and invertebrates
inhabiting the extensive kelp forests represent both cold temperate
and warm temperate waters, with many species found only in this
unique transition zone.
The abundant marine resources
of the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary have traditionally supported
several important commercial and sport fisheries. Today, the nearshore
waters continue to provide for these activities and are also used
for recreational diving, boating and nature viewing. These opportunities
account for the human significance placed upon sanctuary resources.
The Channel Islands National
Marine Sanctuary was established to protect significant marine resources
and, in doing so, ensure that visitors would continue to appreciate
and enjoy the area. Objectives and recommendations set out in the
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Department of Commerce,
1980) have guided sanctuary management through its initial years
until a more comprehensive, long-term strategy could be developed.
This management plan will guide development of programs for resource
protection, research, and interpretation for the next five years.
The Plan prescribes actions to resolve immediate management concerns
and formulates guidelines for continuing management over the longer
term.
The plan also provides an administrative
framework that recognizes the need for cooperation and coordination
for effective management. The Sanctuary Programs Division, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Sanctuary Manager
and staff, the California Department of Fish and Game (CF&G), and
the National Park Service (NPS) are key participants in management
of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Variable funding for staff and
program development over the next five years may affect specific
aspects of sanctuary management as described in this plan. The timing
for the installation of facilities and the scale of programs may
have to be adjusted based on such unforeseeable factors. Nonetheless,
the goals and management objectives embodied in this plan will remain
unchanged.
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