Two marine sanctuaries off the coast of northern California, The Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank, will more than double in size after the Obama administration approved their expansion on March 12th.

Approximately 1,100 square miles surrounding the Farallon Islands was originally protected in 1981, the new sanctuary will cover roughly 3,300 square miles and cover coastline from north of San Francisco to Mendocino. The waters and land are touted as some of the most prolific in the country and include the largest sea bird colony on U.S. mainland.

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