Greater Farallones Association

Join Bay Nature Institute and our very own Jaclyn Schneider, LiMPETS Program Coordinator, for a marine invertebrate beach walk bioblitz on Sunday, November 3, from 3pm-5pm at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Register and learn more at the link below. Space is limited

BREAKING: Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration is designating 4,543 square miles of coastal and offshore waters along 116 miles of California’s central coast as America’s 17th national marine sanctuary. Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will conserve the area’s diverse range of marine life and celebrate Indigenous peoples’ connections to the region. It is the third largest sanctuary in the National Marine Sanctuary System. “The announcement of NOAA designating Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Violet Sage Walker, chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, the organization that nominated the sanctuary in 2015 under the leadership of her father, the late Chief Fred Collins. “This recognition is a crucial moment for our community. It will not only raise awareness of the Chumash People around the world, but also honor the legacy of my late father and affirm our commitment to the stewardship of our land. I hope we will be remembered for our dedication to actively protecting and nurturing Mother Earth and Grandmother Ocean.” Learn more at NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries + Northern Chumash Tribal Council Photos by Robert Schwemmer/NOAA

🚨WWII-era shipwreck re-discovered after nearly 80 years in Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary🚨 The wreck of the USS Stewart (DD-224), a destroyer launched in 1920 with a remarkable history during World War II, was located in August in Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company, located the ship using autonomous underwater vehicles during a collaborative expedition with the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, SEARCH, and NOAA. The USS Stewart has a significant history as a U.S. Navy destroyer that served in World War II, for which it received two battle stars for its service. It was captured by the Japanese in World War II and commissioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy as Patrol Boat No. 102. It was recaptured by the U.S. in 1945, when it was recommissioned as DD-224. The ship was intentionally sunk on May 24, 1946 as part of a naval exercise. Ocean Infinity’s discovery in August brings closure to nearly eight decades of uncertainty surrounding the final resting place of the historic vessel. The USS Stewart’s final resting place in a national marine sanctuary is a reminder of the maritime heritage our sanctuaries preserve and reminds us of all that further exploration might reveal. Photos courtesy of Ocean Infinity NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

The joyous work of protecting our home planet. Thanks to Patagonia San Francisco and Palo Alto for hosting us last week at their Nonprofit EcoMixer! We had a great time connecting with other local nonprofits and community members engaged in this important endeavor.

Hey you! Yes, you! Interested in pursuing a career in educating others about the ocean? We’re looking for a ✨Marine Science Education Fellow✨ to provide instructional and administrative program support for the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank Visitor Center Field Trip program. Learn more + apply: https://lnkd.in/gm9RZ-5a Photo by LiMPETS/GFCBNMS/NOAA

Yesterday, we observed a very rare occurrence from the Farallon Islands: a pod of ~15 Killer Whales attacking ~7-10 humpback whales about half a mile from the shores of the Islands. Read more and see video footage in this SF Chronicle article: https://ow.ly/LPRt50T5JRI. #whales #orcas #FarallonIslands #islandecology #oceans #monitoringmatters #rare Greater Farallones Association San Francisco Chronicle National Wildlife Refuge Association U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) NOAA Centers for Coastal Ocean Science 📷 Frank Fabbro

If you’ve ventured to the Northern California coast in the past few weeks, you’ve likely been treated to views of humpback whales lunge feeding and breaching just offshore. Humpback whales migrate to our region to feed on krill and small schooling fish, and this year, these prey species have moved closer to shore due to oceanic conditions. Humpback whales have followed suit and have recently been spotted in abundance within San Francisco Bay and just offshore of Pacifica, Stinson Beach, and Bodega Bay. While exhilarating to witness these marine giants up close, their proximity to such busy waters makes them vulnerable to disturbance and injury. NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration is advising boaters to slow down and steer clear of whales when spotted along the coast. If a whale is encountered, boaters are advised to operate at no-wake speed and to put their engine in neutral if a whale approaches to pass. Never approach or attempt to follow a whale. Whether on a boat, kayak, paddleboard, or other watercraft, remain at least 100 yards away, about the length of a football field, from whales. Any movement should be from the recommended distance and slightly parallel to or from the rear of the animal. If you need to move around a whale, do so from behind. “By following regulations and recommendations, ocean users can enjoy whales and reduce their impact on the animals in their habitat and keep themselves safe,” said Maria Brown, Superintendent of Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. Photo: Michael Pierson

We’re thrilled to announce that we have been selected as a grantee for the eeBLUE 21st CCLC Watershed STEM Education Partnership by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. This funding will allow us to deliver a unique coastal field trip/classroom ocean education program to 3rd-5th grade students enrolled in the after-school program at Jean Parker Elementary School, a Title 1 school and 21st Century Community Learning Center in San Francisco. This program will be delivered in partnership with NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries at no cost to the school.

Hope. During a recent dive survey at Fort Ross Cove, our kelp restoration team came across the first significant kelp forest growth seen within the cove since 2021. As seen here, the blades of bull kelp are adorned with sori — reproductive tissues which contain the spores of the next generation of kelp. As summer fades, these sori will detach from the kelp and settle on the seafloor, setting the stage for next year’s forests. Support our efforts to better understand and restore this critical ecosystem: https://lnkd.in/g3XjJgmJ Video: Tyler Mears/NOAA

Join our Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar, Amanda Nichole Croteau, as she shows us what it’s like to be a scientist at sea aboard the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada! 🌊🚢 🎥: NOAA/ACCESS/PointBlue/ A.Croteau and N.Castro #EarthIsBlue #NOAAScholars #MarineScience #OceanLife #California