The Obama administration has decided to double the size of two federal marine sanctuaries off California's north-central coast. The areas are described as 'blue Serengeti' by scientists. On Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the size of Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries will be expanded. The decision has been taken after more than a decade of debate and research.

While confirming the decision, officials of the White House said that they have planned to expand ocean protections before President Barack Obama leaves the office. As per the plan, the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary will be expanded from 1,282 square miles to 3,295 square miles. While, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary will be expanded from 529 to 1,286 square miles. It will reach farther into the offshore waters of Marin County to include Bodega Canyon.

The federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere stated that nutrients that usually come from water to surface sustain a variety of life that includes 25 endangered or threatened species, more than 35 marine mammal species, great white shark population and many breeding seabirds.

Mike Boots from the White House Council on Environmental Quality said in a blog post, "The move helps ensure that we are protecting all that the region has to offer - from its biologically rich habitats primed for fishing and scientific research to the seascapes and shipwrecks that attract tourists and explorers".

Michael Sutton, National Audubon Society's vice-president for the Pacific, said after expanding, the sanctuaries will work with California's network of state marine reserves. The main motive will be to make the ocean the world's safest marine environment for sea animals, added Sutton. According to him, the expansion will provide help in protecting the state's most valuable marine resources.