San Francisco Pinniped Haul-out Sites (NMFS, 2007)

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) does not have a GIS-based database for all of the pinniped haulout sites in California. Much of the information is known through word of mouth or in unpublished literature (e.g., academic research) that may be lost over time. In the past, many projects occurring along the California coastline included components that impacted marine mammals. However, determining whether a project may impact marine mammals, specifically pinnipeds, has been challenging for those unfamiliar with pinniped behavior. As a result, NMFS is providing interested parties with a map depicting pinniped haul-out areas and rookeries in California. By having distribution data available to the public, interested parties may be directed to a website that contains the necessary information regarding possible permits and will also inform them ifthey need to contact NMFS before starting their project (i.e.,, avoid illegal takes under the Marine Mammal Protection Act or Endangered Species Act). These points were digitized manually by E.Vandebroek at ESA PWA in January 2012 using the coordinates listed on NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service California Pinniped Map (http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/psd/rookeryhaulouts/). Only the points located within the study reaches for the San Francisco Littoral Cell Coastal Regional Sediment Management Plan (CRSMP) were digitized. This dataset is no intended for use in any other study area. Dataset was submitted to CSMW as part of the San Francisco Littoral Cell Coastal Regional Sediment amanagement Plan (2012).