Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary is the nation's largest marine sanctuary.
This vast area stretches 350 miles north to south,
extends an average of 35 miles offshore, and covers
over 5300 square statute miles. The Sanctuary is
managed to balance recreational and commercial uses
with protection of water quality, habitats, and its
bountiful resident and migratory marine
life.
Rugged, rocky shores and an
underwater canyon over ten thousand feet deep are
two of its dominant physical features. Coastal
topography varies greatly, encompassing steep
bluffs with flat-topped terraces and pocket beaches
to the north; large sandy beaches bordered by
cliffs and large dune fields mid-sanctuary; and
predominately steep, rocky cliffs to the south.
Low- to high-relief mountain ranges and broad,
flat-floored valleys are prevalent farther
inland.
The Sanctuary is a home or a
migration corridor for 26 species of marine
mammals, 94 species of seabirds, 345 species of
fish, 4 species of sea turtles, 31 phyla of
invertebrates, and over 450 species of marine
algae. A rich array of habitats including the open
ocean, rugged rocky shores, sandy beaches, lush
kelp forests, and wetlands support large numbers of
seals and sea lions, whales, fish stocks, otters,
and seabirds. Key species of the Sanctuary are the
sea otter, gray whale, blue whale, humpback whale,
market squid, brown pelican, rockfish, and giant
kelp. For many migratory species, such as the gray
whale, king salmon and brown pelican, the Sanctuary
is also an important link to other habitats beyond
its boundaries.
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 and the artwork of children who have
visited. For a more detailed description of the
marvels of the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary visit the
Monterey
Bay description of the Marine Sanctuaries
section of this
site.
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The
Collection
The
Living Sanctuary
presents 24 photos depicting marine mammals, fish,
birds, invertebrates, and algae. Among these images
are elephant seals, leopard sharks, black
oystercatchers, rockfish, jellyfish, and sea
otters, to name just a few.
Habitats
presents 23 photos depicting the various marine and
nearshore habitats making up the sanctuary.
Included in this section you will find images
beaches, rocky intertidal areas, wetlands, kelp
forests, and open ocean along with many other
beautiful natural scenes.
People
and the Sanctuary
presents 10 images depicting the many ways that
human beings utilize the sanctuary and its adjacent
areas. You will see people recreating, working,
volunteering their time, and learning the important
lessons that the sanctuary has to offer.
The Sustainable
Seas Expeditions
photos for the May 1999 expedition are
unavailable.
The Kids
Gallery presents 10
submissions. Please browse 10 drawings submitted by
school aged kids from the Monterey area.
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