Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is a marine reserve off the California Pacific Coast of the United States.

Founded in 1980 limited the 3800 km ² area of the Santa Barbara channel and is because of its extraordinary beauty and its exceptional natural and cultural resources of national significance. It surrounds the islands of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara ( five of the eight Channel Islands) and extends from the shoreline - relative to the mean high water line - six nautical miles ( 11 km ) around each of the five islands. The main purpose of the reserve is the protection of natural and cultural treasures that are contained within its limits.

The National Marine Sanctuary Program is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA).