Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary - Explore Monterey County California

The Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary was dedicated as a Marine Sanctuary in 1992. The Sanctuary encompasses an area of 4,024 square nautical miles. The Sanctuary includes one the deepest and largest submarine canyons in North America. There are over 26 species of marine mammals that feed, mate and migrate through the sanctuary. Other protected features of the sanctuary are over 300 ship wrecks and many prehistoric and cultural sites. The sanctuary includes Elkhorn slough a rich wetland home for many marine animals including the California sea otter and many species of birds.