Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and San Francisco Car Hire
Located on 991 Marine Drive, the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary was created in response to a growing awareness of the value of the coastal waters. The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is one of 13 marine sanctuaries in the United States found outside San Franciscos Golden Gate. It is also connected to other National Marine Sanctuaries, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Cordell Bank national Marine Sanctuary. See over a million specimens with over 400, 000 seabirds, 52 species of rock fish, and 36 mammal species there is a lot to see when you travel with your San Francisco car hire.
Preserving our earth
Declared as a sanctuary in 1981, the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary protects about 1, 250 square miles of the waters off San Francisco. Their goal is simple, set forth by the National Marin Sanctuary (GFNMS). GFNMS is developing an Ecosystem Protection program, to help bring more awareness to new and emerging issues. Within the sanctuary are the Farallon Islands and associated National Wildlife Refuge, the sanctuary protects the feeding grounds of the seabirds and seals that breed and haul out on the islands. The sanctuary also protects migrating whales, especially gray whales, and a population of great white sharks.
Discovering nature
There are many ways to explore the sanctuaries of the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary when you travel with your San Francisco car hire. The best way is with a boat, but there are also several beaches that overlook and let you to access special areas. You can see the amazing views and the diverse wildlife. The Gulf of the Farallones is a complex region with high biological diversity; nationally significant wildlife breeding and foraging areas; significant commercial and recreational fishing; estuarine habitats; numerous federally, state and locally protected marine waters; watershed influences and impacts from eight million San Francisco Bay Area residents. The Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is one of the best places to begin learning about the ocean wilderness beyond the Golden Gate.
Getting hands on
You too can work to protect the marine environment when you visit with your San Francisco car hire, the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is always accepting volunteers. This marine sanctuary is also a member of the United Nations Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve. There are millions of different species found in this sanctuary, which makes it a perfect place for a marine biology student. It has workshops and programs especially designed for students. It presents an on-site nursery consisting of harbor seals, elephant seals, harbor porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, rockfish and seabirds. This sanctuary is also the feeding area for threatened blue whales and humpback whales.
Success stories
Since the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary was developed there have been several success stories including stopping the oil drilling along the San Mateo, San Francisco, Marin, and Southern Sonoma coasts and prohibiting the discharge of materials into the sanctuary. As well, after more than 170 years northern fur seals are breeding on the Farallon Islands. They have also restored the Common Mure population to breeding areas affected by oil spills and reduced disturbances to harbor seals which has lead to the increased survival rate of pups.
Before you go
You can get involved with the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary through one of their volunteer programs including Beach Watch and SEALS programs.
For more information on the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary when you visit with your San Francisco car hire check out their official website at http://farallones.noaa.gov/ or call (415) 561 6622
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