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To protect the Sanctuary, activities that could harm the living resources of the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary are prohibited. Uses compatible with the goals of resource protection are allowed but may be regulated. The following activities are prohibited within the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Prohibited Activities

1. Oil and gas exploration and development.

2. Discharges, with the exception of vessel cooling waters, effluents from marine sanitation devices, fish wastes and bait.

3. Seabed alteration or construction, with the exception of anchoring, repair of breakwaters and jetties in Tomales Bay, installing navigation aids, and traditional fishing operations.

4. Oil tankers, barges, and other merchant vessels are prohibited within two nautical miles of the Farallon Islands, Bolinas Lagoon, and Areas of Special Biological Significance. Fishing, recreational, and enforcement vessels are not included.

5. Aircraft within one nautical mile of biologically sensitive areas must maintain an altitude of at least 1000 feet to avoid disturbing marine mammals and seabirds. Click here to download a map of these areas. (1.7MB PDF) To obtain more information on overflight restrictions please click here.

6. Damaging or removing historical or cultural resources.

7. Motorized Personal Watercraft (MPWC) Download the PDF (74K)

This is a summary of the activities prohibited by the National Marine Sanctuary Program regulations (15 CFR Part 922). This listing does not include the exemptions or other activities regulated within the Sanctuary under other local, state or federal authorities. Download the PDF (52K) of the Department of Commerce's regulations.

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This page was last updated on January 1, 2007
2007 Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
website: farallones.noaa.gov | e-mail: farallones@noaa.gov
National Marine Sanctuaries | National Ocean Service | National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration | USA.gov