Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)
An environmental summary created by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.
This page is an introduction to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) with specific emphasis on the relationship between the MBNMS and the coastal and terrestrial environment.
Contents
General Information
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) stretches from Marin in the north to Cambria in the south, and extends an average of 30 miles off shore. It includes 276 miles of shoreline, and covers 6094 square miles of ocean. At its deepest point, it is 12,743 feet deep.[1]
Central Coast Watersheds and Sub-Watersheds that drain into MBNMS
From north to south:
Santa Cruz County
- Waddell Creek Watershed
- Scott Creek Watershed
- San Vicente Watershed
- Laguna Creek Watershed
- Moore Creek Watershed
- San Lorenzo River watershed
- Arana Creek Watershed
- Soquel Creek Watershed
Monterey County
- Pajaro River Watershed
- The Gabilan / Reclamation Ditch Watershed
- Salinas River Watershed
- Canyon del Rey Watershed
- Carmel River Watershed
Terrestrial impacts on the MBNMS
- Harmful Algal Blooms.[2]
- Toxoplasmosis in southern sea otters due to improper waste disposal.[3].
- Dynamic shifts due to coastal retreat.
Water Quality Programs
Agriculture and Rural
In order to maintain the pristine nature of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and support the local agricultural industry, farmers and agencies have created the Agriculture Water Quality Alliance (AWQA). The AWQA promotes a voluntary stewardship-based approach as outlined in the "Agriculture and Rural Lands Action Plan."
Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network
The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network is a group of citizen science monitoring groups that study the health of the watersheds entering the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Urban Runoff
Wetlands and Riparian Corridors
References
Disclaimer
This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.
