Problem Statement:
The pressure on marine resources continues to grow as the human population increases around coastal areas and access to offshore environs becomes easier. With the multitude of opportunities for harvesting, observing and interacting with nature comes the potential for wildlife disturbance.

Wildlife disturbance may be caused by direct and indirect factors. Wildlife disturbance may be a result of natural events such as storms, , fluxuations in water temperature, physical/chemical changes to water, and the introduction of invasive species. Wildlife disturbance may also be the result of recreational and commercial vessels.. Human interaction with wildlife is perhaps the most manageable. Feeding wild animals; encroachment on nesting sites, nurseries and rookeries; collecting tidepool inhabitants; and trampling intertidal habitats, are some ways humans impact wildlife.

In 1996, more than 62 million Americans participated in some form of wildlife viewing or nature tourism - nearly one-third of all U.S. adults. In the same year, wildlife watchers spent $29 billion in state and local economies, a 39% increase over 1991 spending. New information indicates the numbers are increasing. Activities include: wildlife viewing, viewing or photographing scenery, beach visitation, SCUBA diving and kayaking. California is second only to Florida in nature tourism and wildlife viewing.

Of specific concern to the Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary are wildlife disturbances associated with: trampling and collecting in tidepools; impacts from hikers, boaters and kayakers; and interactions with White sharks.