NOAA proudly welcomes Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary—the third largest of America’s 17 existing national marine sanctuaries. The 4,543 square-mile sanctuary off the coast of Central California will conserve vibrant biodiversity and celebrate the area's rich cultural history. NOAA respects and will work meaningfully with Indigenous Peoples to help guide sanctuary management.

This designation supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s America the Beautiful initiative to address nature loss, climate change, and inequitable access to the outdoors, including through stronger engagement and partnerships with Tribal and Indigenous communities.

This is the first new sanctuary in the National Marine Sanctuary System specifically managed for biodiversity conservation since the designation of Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in 1994. In contrast, the three other sanctuaries designated over the past three decades were primarily focused on maritime heritage and cultural resource preservation.

The boundary of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary covers 4,543 square miles of coastal and ocean waters offshore Central California stretching out to nearly 60 miles from shore and down to a maximum depth of 11,580 feet. This area is an important and vibrant ecological transition zone with high biological productivity that supports dense aggregations of marine life, including a plethora of sea birds, marine mammals, invertebrates, and fishes. Habitats within these waters range from lush kelp forests to rocky reefs to sandy beaches, as well as significant offshore features like the Rodriguez Seamount, Arguello Canyon, and a portion of Santa Lucia Bank.

This area is part of the California Current ecosystem, where important ocean processes, like the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters, support abundant marine life and diverse species. Because of the ongoing and emerging threats from various consumptive and non-consumptive human uses and climate change, additional protections were needed.

“This sanctuary conserves the area’s rich biodiversity and creates new opportunities for research, and responsible recreation and tourism, ensuring this incredible ecosystem is protected for future generations to experience and enjoy,” Armor states.

Additionally, the sanctuary is expected to have beneficial impacts on climate change through the protection of habitats that help remove and sequester “blue carbon,” like soft-bottom benthic habitat and kelp forest habitat.

The Chumash Peoples have lived along the California coastline for at least 13,000 years. The waters within and surrounding the sanctuary are of great significance to the Chumash Peoples. Their distinct Indigenous Knowledge systems, cultural practices, and deep connections to this place provide essential expertise and inspiration for sustaining both marine ecosystems and cultural identity. For hundreds of generations, Chumash Peoples have lived in a reciprocal relationship of balance as part of this environment. They continue to care for the environment and their cultures, while resiliently surviving the brutal trials and trauma of history.

Read more about the Chumash Heritage Marine Sanctuary.