Where are national marine sanctuaries located?
The Sanctuary System consists of marine protected areas that encompass more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington State to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa.
Where is the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary?
Washington state
It is located along the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state. The sanctuary was declared in 1994 and encompasses 3,189 square miles (8,260 km2) of the Pacific Ocean from Cape Flattery in the north, to the mouth of the Copalis River, a distance of about 162.5 miles (261.5 km).
How many national marine sanctuaries are there?
The principal goal of the 16 U.S. national marine sanctuaries is to protect places with special natural, cultural, or historical significance, ranging from the coral reefs of Florida to the shipwrecks of the Chesapeake and Great Lakes to the kelp forests of California.
What is the largest National Marine Sanctuary?
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
The largest marine sanctuary is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument— larger than all of America’s national parks combined!
What is the National Marine Sanctuary Act?
The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate and protect areas of the marine environment with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational or esthetic qualities as national …
What is a marine sanctuary area?
A marine sanctuary is a general type of marine protected area (MPA). An MPA is a section of the ocean where a government has placed limits on human activity. Different types of MPAs allow different types of activities, such as scientific research, recreation, or commercial fishing.
Why is the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary protected?
The sanctuary protects a productive upwelling zone – home to marine mammals and seabirds. Along its shores are thriving kelp and intertidal communities, teeming with fishes and other sea life. In addition to important ecological resources, the sanctuary has a rich cultural and historical legacy.
What do national marine sanctuaries do?
National marine sanctuaries are special areas that protect important marine ecosystems around the nation. Some sanctuaries are breeding and feeding grounds for endangered whales, others contain thriving coral reefs or kelp forests, and many are home to historic shipwrecks and other archaeological treasures.
Where is the world’s largest marine reserve?
The Ross Sea Region MPA The 2.06-million-square-kilometer marine reserve, which covers an area larger than Mexico and includes the area under the Ross Ice Shelf, is the world’s largest marine protected area (MPA).
Why is Monterey Bay a sanctuary?
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a US Federally protected marine area offshore of California’s Big Sur and central coast. The MBNMS was established in 1992 for the purpose of resource protection, research, education, and public use.
Why is Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protected?
Through education, conservation, science, and stewardship, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary provides protection to its extraordinary natural and cultural resources so that nature can thrive, historic shipwrecks and artifacts remain respectfully in place, cultural connections remain strong, and careful public …