Sanctuary News, Announcements, and Programs

News

2024 Ed Ricketts Memorial Award and Lecture, September 25^th

Join us at the Sanctuary Exploration Center for the 2024 Ed Ricketts Memorial Award and Lecture, presented to Dr. Daniel P. Costa, University of California, Santa Cruz.
See announcement for more information. (7/31/2024)

Superintendent Statement: Report and Do Not Disturb Cotton Bales Washed Up on Local Beaches!

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is asking the public to report and not disturb any cotton bales that have washed up recently on local beaches. The bales are believed to be from a container ship that, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, lost 24 containers on February 6^th, 2024, approximately 15 miles west of the sanctuary offshore of Monterey Bay. For more information please read the statment here. (3/15/2024)

DRAFT Restoration Plan and NEPA Evaluation for the YFD-70 Dry Dock for GFNMS and MBNMS

Public Comment Period Extended! Due to a technical error during the previous comment period, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is extending the opportunity for public comment via email until March 15, 2023 on the Draft Restoration Plan and NEPA Evaluation for the YFD-70 Dry Dock for Greater Farallones and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries that proposes to help restore sanctuary resources injured as a result of this incident. Download and view the plan here. Any comments that were submitted during the original period should be re-submitted to be considered for input. Comments must be submitted to [email protected] by March 15, 2023. (2/13/23)

Netflix’s Series Features an Episode on Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

The online streaming service Netflix premiered "Our Great National Parks", a five-part documentary series about the world's most breathtaking national parks and the wildlife that live there. Episode 3 features a 52 minute episode on NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, narrated by President Barack Obama. The episode features some conservation issues facing national marine sanctuaries and the entire world’s ocean, while highlighting the importance of protecting our treasured natural resources. Some of the marine species featured include orcas, southern sea otters, northern elephant seals, gray whales, and many more. See the trailer and stream on Netflix with subscription. (4/26/22)

BAUE Volunteer Divers Remove Underwater Discarded Tires

Divers remove debris from the deep! Recently, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks partnered with Bay Area Underwater Explorers (BAUE) and Lee Oceans Foundation to recover 26 discarded tires from Point Lobos State Marine Reserve. The tires were of unknown origin and are harmful to underwater habitats by displacing substrate and leaching heavy metals and chemicals into the surrounding water. BAUE divers conducted numerous survey dives at 100-170 foot depths to locate the tires in the marine protected area. Removal of each 40 lbs. tire from the seafloor required lift bags and support from the vessel Escapade to return the debris to land for proper disposal. For more information, visit the Lee Oceans Foundation. (4/26/22)

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Releases Final Management Plan and Final Environmental Assessment for MBNMS

Over the last decade, the sanctuary's natural and cultural resources and environmental conditions have changed, creating new challenges for protecting resources and facilitating compatible use. At the same time, new tools for effective management have emerged, driven by scientific advances, technological innovation, and new partnerships. An evaluation of requirements and approaches, both current and future, ensure we, and our partners, are making the most effective use of programmatic resources. (11/12/21)

Please view this infographic for an overview of the newly released management plan (2.7M PDF)

Superintendent Statement: Large Vessels Close to the Coast in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Large vessels such as container ships and oil tankers have been sited close to the Monterey Bay coast over the past few weeks. NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to remind the vessels about advisable routes recommended by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Shipping companies are cooperating with the sanctuary’s request that large vessels move west of the recommended routes and well offshore while waiting for entry into San Francisco. For more information, please email Karen Grimmer. (4/13/21)

Attention Teachers!

Explore MBNMS through our new Distance Learning Programs for your students! Access our pre-recorded marine science programs and lesson plans for free, or schedule a 45 minute LIVE Virtual Interaction Program for a fee. For more information, please email Chelsea Prindle. (11/2/20)

MBNMS Virtual Dives and Feature Film “One Breath” are now available!

Watch the stunning 18 minute film highlighting the sanctuary from filmmaker Bob Talbot, and take yourself on a virtual dive tour to explore 360° images taken from 11 different sanctuary locations. Use virtual googles for the ultimate immersive experience!. For more information, please email Amity Wood. (10/29/20)

Support Students for Zero Waste Week 2020

Students in California are inviting their local communities to “Go Green. Think Blue.”, and join them in the 8^th annual Students for Zero Waste Week. During this week-long campaign, students are focusing on reducing land-based waste and in turn, helping to protect the health of local marine environments. Their goal is to raise awareness of how single-use plastic and other types of litter affect the health of the local watersheds and our national marine sanctuaries. This year we are encouraging universities, businesses and organizations to participate in the 2020 Zero Waste Week campaign. For more information, please visit Students for Zero Waste Week web page. For more information, please contact Jezella Peraza by email. (12/17/19)

8^th annual Students for Zero Waste Week Flyer (837K PDF)

NOAA Expands Seafloor Protection off West Coast Starting January 1^st 2020

More than 140,000 square miles of seafloor along the West Coast will be protected from bottom trawling under a plan implemented by NOAA on January 1^st, 2020. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) participated in the decade-long review of Pacific Coast groundfish Amendment 28, Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Areas (EFHCA) within Sanctuary waters, providing critical seafloor, coral, sponge and fish assemblage data, vital to the decision to protect sensitive habitats from bottom trawling. More information on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) federal register notice can be found here. (12/3/19)

What’s in Your Watershed? Snapshot Day Celebrates 20 Years of Water Quality Monitoring

Snapshot Day exemplifies a successful 20-year collaboration between dedicated volunteers and a network of water quality professionals on the central California coast. Diverse public agencies, local companies, non-profit organizations, and citizens are all committed to healthy coastal watersheds and a thriving Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary ecosystem. Read the Web Story, or contact Lisa Emanuelson by email for more information. (4/9/19)

Job Announcements

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Position Announcement: Gift Store and Rentals Coordinator

Location:	Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center (SEC), Santa Cruz, CA
Supervisor:	Sanctuary Exploration Center Manager
Status:	Part–Time position (24–28 hours/week)

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (the Foundation), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a part-time Gift Store and Rentals Coordinator to support operations in the Sanctuary Exploration Center (SEC) gift store and coordinate facility rentals. This is a 24–28 hour per week position with hours during Wednesday-Friday and a weekend day (Saturday or Sunday).

The Gift Store and Rentals Coordinator will work with the SEC Manager to administer and maintain the retail operations of the gift and bookstore. This role will also recruit, track, and support coordination of rental use of the facility for events, workshops, and meetings. As necessary, this role will support day–to–day operations at the center, working with volunteers and staff to create a welcoming environment for visitors and handling opening and closing operations.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is one of the nation’s largest marine protected areas encompassing more than 6,000 square miles of central California coastal waters containing a rich array of habitats and marine life. The Sanctuary program provides protection of these natural resources through research and education to foster public understanding and stewardship of this nationally significant marine area. MBNMS opened a state–of–the–art Exploration Center in 2012 to educate and outreach to the local community and visitors to the Santa Cruz area. The goals of the Sanctuary Exploration Center (SEC) are to educate visitors about the sanctuary’s unique and fascinating coastal marine environment and to encourage stewardship of the sanctuary and a better understanding of how to responsibly enjoy and protect the ocean.

Required Qualifications minimum:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s or Associate's degree preferred

Minimum of one year retail management/supervisory experience OR two years retail store experience, including cash handling and inventory tracking

Proficient computer skills to include; various computer programs (Google Suite, Excel, database entry)

Good communication and customer service skills, both written and verbal

Ability to work two weekdays and at least one weekend day, as well as occasional evening

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Associate's degree

Supervisory, leadership, and coaching skills

Experience working in a small business, boutique, and/or non-profit storefront

Knowledge of financial, budgetary, and accounting best practices

Knowledge of retail and merchandising trends with a focus on quality, marketing, and presentation

For more information and to apply, please visit the Foundation's Part–Time Sanctuary Exploration Center Gift Store and Rentals Coordinator recruitment page.

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