For More Information

NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

(831) 647-4201 or www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov

NOAA Office of Enforcement

(831) 647-4203 or (831) 647-4220

U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey

(831) 647-7300 or VHF Radio Channel 16

California Department of Fish and Game

1-888-DFGCALTIP

Divers Alert Network (DAN)

1-800-446-2671

Marine Mammal Center

(831) 633-6298

Marine Weather Forecast

(831) 656-1725

NOAA’s Recreational Diver Web site

www.dive.noaa.gov

Credits 

The Sanctuary thanks the following contributors: Members of the

Sanctuary’s Dive Partnership Program; Sanctuary Advisory Council

diving representatives Ed Cooper and David Clayton; Jean-Michel

Cousteau for providing information on ways divers can protect the

ocean; the photographers who participated in the Sanctuary’s underwater photo contest and who provided photos for this brochure.

© 2001 Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Printed on recycled paper.

Ed Cooper

D

Nation

Welcome to the Monterey Bay National Marine

Sanctuary, where a fantasticdiving adventure awaits you in one of the richest,most diverse marine environments in the world! 
Help Protect

the Sanctuary To make your dives more enjoyable andsafe, and to help protect this nationaltreasure, please:Sharpen your skills. Master thebasic skills of diving (particularlybuoyancy) well enough to be completely at ease. You’ll be safer and enjoymore of what you’re seeing. Plan your dive well. Diving thesewaters is challenging. You may want tohire a local divemaster or instructor to

accompany you on your first dives.Know the unique characteristics of adive site in advance, so that youdon’t become disoriented or lost.Before you dive, designate entry andexit points as well as contingencyexit points in case conditionschange unexpectedly. For specificdive site information, consult divestores, charts or local divers.

Control your buoyancy.Mastering buoyancy control means yourdives will be safer and less strenuous.Streamline your equipment.Keeping gear close to your body reducesdrag and the chances of entanglement.It is also helpful to tape down your finstraps. Sea life is everywhere and canbe harmed by the kick of a fin, bump ofa tank, or knock of the hand. Learn the proper techniquesfor diving in kelp. Always swim

below the surface (kelp canopy) andnavigate with your compass. If youmust swim over the canopy, carefullypush the kelp down and slowly dogpaddle across. Don’t panic or thrasharound if entangled in kelp. Slowlyremove the kelp, or have your buddygently untangle it for you.

Keep a safe distance frommarine mammals. To prevent disturbing harbor seals, California sealions, sea otters or other marine mammals, stay 50 to 100 yards away fromthem. If they look in your direction andfidget, it’s time to back away.Avoid touching or taking anything. Your slightest touch candisturb marine life. Removing rock orshell for the sake of a souvenir candisrupt this fragile system. 

Get InvolvedDivers are privileged to witndiversity and abundance of life in the Monterey Bay NatMarine Sanctuary. Share the and promote responsible ocstewardship by getting involsome of these activities:• Join a dive club or consergroup that promotes educatand conservation.• Try your hand at photogravideography, and use your u

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary—A 

Sanctuary waters are filled with life! A variety of unique habitats are waiting tobe explored, each harboring a spectaculararray of plants and animals. Discover thethrill of diving lush kelp forests, rockyreefs, shale beds or sandy seafloors.National marine sanctuaries are special places—coastal and underseacounterparts to our national parks thatare protected for their biological

diversity or cultural significance.The largest and deepest of the nation’s13 marine sanctuaries, MontereyBay National Marine Sanctuary spans 5,322 square miles of ocean,stretching along 300 miles of coastline. At its deepest point, thesanctuary reaches more than twomiles below the surface in theMonterey Canyon.

The primary is to protect features whiland enjoy thway. To proteactivities thaof the sanctuocean dumpisanctuary alssuch as fishin

Laurie Cava

Marc Shargel

Kenneth J. Howard

Cover photo by Jerry Loomis