Southeast Farallon Island State Marine Reserve/State Marine Conservation Area/Special Closure

The Farallon Islands marine environment consists of nearshore shallow rock and sand surrounded by relatively deep open ocean. The islands are situated within the California current, which brings cold water down the coast, and an upwelling zone, which brings cold, nutrient-rich water from depth to the surface during spring. This upwelled water supports the rapid growth and prolific reproduction of plankton, the base of the marine food web, and also makes the Farallon Islands a highly productive area for seaweeds, invertebrates, fishes, marine mammals, and birds.

Notable species found within the Southeast Farallon Island MPAs include white sharks, cabezon, canary rockfish, abalone, northern elephant seals, Steller sea lions, and northern fur seals, which only recently returned to the island after being hunted to local extinction. Blue whales, humpback whales, gray whales and orcas can all be found near the Farallones as well.

The Farallones host the largest colony of nesting seabirds in the contiguous United States. There are 13 species of seabirds regularly nesting on these islands, and the Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure aids in protecting roughly 180,000 of the almost 300,000 birds that inhabit the entire island chain, including the endangered rhinoceros auklet and ashy storm-petrel. From seabirds to marine mammals, these islands provide significant habitat and feeding opportunities for more than 25 threatened or endangered species.

For centuries, Native American Tribes in California have relied on marine and coastal resources. Many Native American Tribes in California continue to regularly harvest marine resources within their ancestral territories and maintain relationships with the coast for ongoing customary uses. The islands, easily seen from the mainland on a clear day, were known as the “Islands of the Dead” to the Native Americans, who believed that spirits dwelt there. It is thought that Native Americans never traveled to the islands.

The first documented landfall on the islands was by the Sir Francis Drake Expedition on July 24, 1579, which stopped to hunt seals and gather bird eggs. Starting in the late 1700s, European, Russian, and New England fur traders arrived to hunt abundant seal populations. The trade grew quickly, and seal populations declined dramatically. The expansion of the city of San Francisco in the mid-1800s also led to the commercial collection of seabird eggs. At the height of the trade, it is estimated 500,000 eggs were collected each month. This stopped abruptly in 1863 when two men were murdered on the islands in what is known as the “Egg War.”

Conservation of the Farallon Islands began in 1909 when Theodore Roosevelt created the Farallon Reservation. Southeast Farallon Island became fully protected in 1969 when this chain of dramatic rocky islands became the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge. Currently, the islands have multiple levels of protection with varied regulations under the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Farallon Islands MPAs. A handful of researchers live on the islands, but the islands remain strictly off-limits to visitors.

To protect the abundance of wildlife that lives on and around the Farallones, the Farallon Islands are not open to the public. The only people that have access to this region are a small group of wildlife biologists and resource managers, including scientists from Point Blue Conservation Science. However, the public can still explore this special place through both boating trips and virtual media. Whale watching trips are offered out of San Francisco and allow visitors the chance to see some of the 36 different species of marine mammals that live in these waters, from Steller sea lions and northern fur seals to gray, fin, blue, and humpback whales. The California Academy of Sciences has set up a webcam that allows people to virtually witness the frenzied spectacle of breeding, feeding, and nesting birds, and admire the remote scenic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Take of marine resources is prohibited in the SMR and boating and other human activity is prohibited year-around in the waters within the Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure. Anglers can enjoy a day on the water within the SMCA trolling for salmon, but all other take is prohibited.

Southeast Farallon Island SMR

This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

37° 42.600' N. lat. 122° 59.500' W. long.;
37° 42.600' N. lat. 123° 02.000' W. long.;
37° 40.500' N. lat. 123° 02.000' W. long.;
37° 40.500' N. lat. 122° 59.500' W. long.; and
37° 42.600' N. lat. 122° 59.500' W. long.;

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(53)

Southeast Farallon Island SMCA

This area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

37° 42.600' N. lat. 123° 02.000' W. long.;
37° 42.600' N. lat. 123° 05.461' W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 38.654' N. lat. 122° 59.500' W. long.;
37° 40.500' N. lat. 122° 59.500' W. long.;
37° 40.500' N. lat. 123° 02.000' W. long.; and
37° 42.600' N. lat. 123° 02.000' W. long.;

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(54)

Southeast Farallon Island Special Closure

A special closure is established at the Southeast Farallon Island. See California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(55) for details (link below).

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(55)