NOAA’s Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Urges Boaters, Paddlers and Pilots to Avoid Disturbing Seabirds

Mary Jane Schramm, 415-561-6622, ext. 205

Sarah Marquis, 949-222-2212

NOAA’s Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Urges
Boaters, Paddlers and Pilots
to Avoid Disturbing Seabirds

With seabird breeding season underway, NOAA’s Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary urges coastal visitors, whether boaters and paddlers or small aircraft pilots, to avoid disturbing nesting seabirds.

In spring, seabirds often favor the protection of rugged coastal cliffs and offshore islands, and will form dense, noisy breeding colonies in areas such as Pt. Reyes and the Marin Headlands north of San Francisco, the Farallon Islands offshore, and Devil’s Slide Rock to the south.

Twenty-nine species of seabirds breed in California, including the Cassin’s Auklet. Although seabirds spend most of their time at sea, they must come to land to rest, nest and raise their chicks. Colonies of several hundred thousand may form adjacent to fish-rich ocean waters that also attract fishermen, boaters, pilots, birdwatchers and other wildlife enthusiasts. Seabirds will neglect their young if disturbed repeatedly, and may abandon a colony altogether.

“Seabirds are indicators of change in ocean conditions – an early warning system for scientists and managers of fisheries and marine protected areas,” said Maria Brown, sanctuary superintendent. “Healthy colonies are the best baseline for detecting the type and severity of changes that occur.”

Since 2005, the sanctuary has worked with state, federal and local agencies and other partners to protect seabirds along the north-central California coast. The Seabird Protection Network is a regional program for coordinated seabird colony management and conservation, from Point Sur near Monterey, to Point Reyes north of San Francisco. In 2009, the network expanded into a statewide strategic partnership. It is funded by oil spill restoration appropriations.

Visit the Seabird Protection Network on the web to download maps of sensitive areas and overflight information at: The sanctuary will distribute information and tips for protecting seabird colonies during area air shows, boat shows and festivals.

Designated in 1981, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary encompasses nearly 1,300 square miles of ocean and coastal waters beyond San Francisco’s Golden Gate. The sanctuary supports the largest seabird breeding colony in the contiguous United States, and other species such as whales and white sharks.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

On the Web:

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association