Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary supervisor: Drones not welcome.

Go fly your fancy toy plane somewhere else.

That's essentially the message from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Paul Michel, who yesterday issued a press release warning that unmanned aircraft systems—aka quadcopters or aerial drones—are regulated, and in some places banned, above sanctuary waters.

Low-flying planes over the beaches and ocean, piloted or not, can scare marine wildlife such as seals, sea otters, seabirds and shorebirds, Michel writes.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that two drones buzzing over Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove scared a harbor seal rookery, including pregnant seals and newborn pups, who stampeded into the ocean.

Federal rules ban the use of all model planes and recreational drones over four special zones in the sanctuary, from the high tide line out to 5 miles offshore: 

1) from the north end of Pescadero Marsh south to Point Santa Cruz;

2) from the Carmel River mouth south to Cambria;

3) from the Sunset State Beach parking lot south to the CEMEX Sand Plant, Marina; and

4) over the main channel of Elkhorn Slough.

Even outside those areas, he adds, it's illegal to harass marine animals, turtles and birds. In various direct and indirect ways, the presence of drones can stress and even kill wildlife.

"Both traditional and remotely controlled aircraft (including model aircraft and drones) pose a special threat to marine life because they can easily access areas normally free of human presence," Michel writes. "Wildlife often react by fleeing quickly, or if they remain behind, stay on high alert to guard against a return of the perceived threat. Such disturbances can create stress and can significantly affect an animal’s health, particularly those that are pregnant or raising young."

People can report violations by calling the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964.