The 5,3222-square-mile Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is set to expand by 775 square miles, a hefty chunk of ocean that includes the biologically rich Davidson Seamount. The addition is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s revised management plan for the Monterey Bay sanctuary, which the agency released along with plans for the adjacent Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones sanctuaries Nov. 20. New regulations prohibit harmful discharges, expand white shark protections, restrict activities that damage the sea floor and tighten the guard against invasive species, while leaving four areas open to motorized watercraft, including wintertime tow-in surfing at the famous Mavericks surf spot near Half Moon Bay. Details are available at http://sanctuaries.niaa.gov/jointplan.

Monterey Bay Natinal Marine Sanctuary 

Davidson Seamount