Within the Cordell Bank
National Marine Sanctuary are rocky subtidal areas,
soft sediment continental shelf and slope and open
ocean. The tops of Cordell Bank's ridges and
pinnacles are covered with sponges, anemones,
hydrocorals, hydroids, tunicates, barnacles, crabs,
worms, scallops, snails, chitons, and countless
other algae and invertebrates. Upwellings from the
cold, nutrient rich ocean currents provide a superb
feeding ground for many marine mammals and
seabirds. Algae and invertebrates proliferate.
Endangered humpback whales along with Dall's
porpoises, albatross, shearwaters, and countless
other marine species flourish in this
extraordinarily rich marine environment.
However, few people have seen
this special part of the California seafloor due to
its depth, currents, and distance from the
mainland. The significant value of this marine
habitat was officially recognized in 1989 when 526
square miles (397 square nautical miles) of Pacific
Ocean including and surrounding Cordell Bank were
designated as a national marine
sanctuary.
The photo gallery contains
images which portray only a small portion of the
living and physical resources of the sanctuary. In
addition, it portrays some of the major uses of the
sanctuary, images of the sustainable seas
expedition, and the artwork of children who have
visited. For a more detailed description of the
marvels of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
visit the
Cordell Bank description on the Marine Sanctuaries
section of this
site.
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The
Collection
The
Living Sanctuary
presents 27 photos depicting marine mammals, fish,
birds, turtles,invertebrates, and microscopic
organisms. Among these images are sea lions, blue
whales, pacific sunfish, rockfish, leatherback
turtles, shearwaters, jellyfish, worms, and corals
to name just a few.
Habitats
presents 8 photos depicting the various marine and
nearshore habitats making up the sanctuary.
Included in this section you will find computer
generated images of seafloor topography and
granitic pinnacles with many forms of sea organisms
attracted to or attached to these underwater
islands.
People
and the Sanctuary
presents 20 images depicting the many ways that
human beings use the sanctuary and its adjacent
areas. You will see people recreating, researching,
volunteering their time, and learning the important
lessons that the sanctuary has to offer.
The Sustainable
Seas Expeditions
presents 37 images depicting the submersible
launches, training, topside activities, and
interaction with the general public. These images
are from both the Cordell Bank and Gulf of the
Farallones expeditions due to the fact that both
sanctuaries were explored during the same
mission.
The Kids
Gallery presents 4
submissions. Please browse the 2 poems and 2
drawings submitted by school aged kids from the San
Francisco area.
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