High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a US Federally protected marine area offshore of California`s central coast around Monterey Bay. Supporting one of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems, it is home to numerous mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates and plants in a remarkably productive coastal environment. The MBNMS was established in 1992 for the purpose of resource protection, research, education, and public use.