Dee, thanks for clearing up the issue of posting pictures here... 
And Clive, in answer to your questions:
The Channel Islands which lay just across the Santa Barbara Channel are a chain of islands that stretch along the Southern California coast in the Pacific Ocean. The most northern five of the eight islands and their surrounding one nautical mile of ocean, with its kelp forests comprise Channel Islands National Park. Additionally, this area has been further enlarged by the designation of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary boundaries stretch six miles offshore, encircling Santa Barbara and the northern islands, including their interconnecting channels.
Although best known by divers for its immense kelp forests and clear waters, the island chain are host to numerous species of marine life. Flying fish, dolphin and numerous species of whales as well as sharks (over 25 species of sharks) inhabit these waters. Pinnipeds include the lion seal, fur seal and elephant seal, who all find sanctuary in this ocean habitat.
And Clive, in answer to your questions:
The Channel Islands which lay just across the Santa Barbara Channel are a chain of islands that stretch along the Southern California coast in the Pacific Ocean. The most northern five of the eight islands and their surrounding one nautical mile of ocean, with its kelp forests comprise Channel Islands National Park. Additionally, this area has been further enlarged by the designation of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary boundaries stretch six miles offshore, encircling Santa Barbara and the northern islands, including their interconnecting channels.
Although best known by divers for its immense kelp forests and clear waters, the island chain are host to numerous species of marine life. Flying fish, dolphin and numerous species of whales as well as sharks (over 25 species of sharks) inhabit these waters. Pinnipeds include the lion seal, fur seal and elephant seal, who all find sanctuary in this ocean habitat.
