Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA is releasing for public comment the draft designation documents for the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. This action comes after the agency conducted a thorough analysis and evaluated feedback from the public, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, scientists, and federal and state agencies. The proposed sanctuary designation stretches along 134 miles of coastline and would encompass more than 5,600 square miles of water off of the Central California coast.

On behalf of a broad community consortium, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council submitted the sanctuary nomination in July 2015. NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries issued a Notice of Intent to begin the designation process for the proposed sanctuary in November 2021. NOAA's proposed designation would protect the region’s important marine ecosystems and maritime heritage resources, support ocean-dependent economies, and highlight the cultural values and connections of Indigenous communities to the area.

map of the California coast depicting the boundary for the proposed chumash heritage national marine sanctuary along with boundaries of Monterey bay and channel islands national marine sanctuaries

Map of the Agency-Preferred Alternative boundary of the area NOAA is proposing to designate as Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. View maps of draft EIS boundary alternatives

Credit: NOAA

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Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Factsheet

Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Factsheet

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kelp forest

Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forest located at Cojo Anchorage near Point Conception, Calif., hosts a variety of invertebrates, fish and marine mammals.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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montebello preparing to dock

Launch of tanker SS Montebello at Southwestern Shipbuilding Co., San Pedro, Calif., in 1921. Montebello was later torpedoed by a Japanese submarine south of Cambria, Calif., in 1941.

Credit: Unocal

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montebello preparing to dock

A view of the steering wheel on the bridge of the USCG Cutter McCulloch. The McCulloch sank when it collided with the passenger steamship SS Governor on June 13, 1917.

Credit: NOAA/USCG/VideoRay

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view of the shoreline from the beach

Jalama Beach is a popular destination for surfing, sport fishing enthusiasts and beachcombers.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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a rocky coastline

A view of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary near Montana de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA

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a breaching humpback whale

Humpback whales are among the species that inhabit the waters of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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waves crashing on the rocks below point conception lighthouse

The second Point Conception lighthouse was rebuilt in 1881 and relocated to the lower bluff of the cape 133 feet above the Pacific Ocean, where fog would be less likely to obscure the light.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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sea otter in kelp at water's surface

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are native to California's central coast. The kelp keeps them from drifting away and provides camouflage from predators.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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wreck of the ss san pedro at the bottom of the sea

Shipwreck site of the steam schooner wrecker SS San Pedro lost in 1894 while salvaging the coal cargo from the shipwreck Gosford at Cojo Anchorage.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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view of the shore and the ocean

Aerial view of Sibley Ranch, part of UC Santa Barbara's Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve, south of Cambria.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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crabs covering corals and sponges

Deepwater bubblegum coral, a host for California king crab, observed during 2020 E/V Nautilus exploration of the Santa Lucia Bank. Corals and sponges that make up the area's seafloor habitats provide food and shelter for recreationally and commercially important fish species.

Credit: OET/NOAA

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sandy bank next to the santa maria river

Santa Maria River estuary at Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve is a popular seabird watching destination, and was once a seafood gathering place for the Chumash people.

Credit: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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animated gif of b-roll video

B-Roll video

Credit: NOAA

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An aerial shot of a coastline with the words proposed chumash heritage national marine sanctuary overlaid

Video of proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

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