If you’ve never been to a marine life sanctuary, it’s definitely time to add one or two of these incredible destinations to your bucket list. National marine life sanctuaries have been designated as habitat for the protection of fish species, coral reefs, and all other ocean animals, particularly endangered species. Ranging in size from as little as a single square mile to more than 130,000 square miles, there are currently fourteen marine life sanctuaries within the US National Marine Sanctuary System; in total, they cover over 170,000 square miles of marine habitat, as well as parts of the Great Lakes. Extending from the state of Washington to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron all the way to American Samoa, these sanctuaries are true national treasures.
Countless Benefits
Marine life sanctuaries provide many benefits:
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Security for endangered species: Marine life sanctuaries protect and conserve endangered species, particularly those which are close to extinction. Not only do these animals benefit by living in a secure natural habitat, they are protected from dangers such as pollutants, shipping, illegal fishing, and other activities which could threaten their survival.
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Recreational sites for diving and sport fishing: Marine life sanctuaries facilitate scuba diving and in some places, a certain amount of recreational fishing is allowed. When you visit, you’ll find that there are strict guidelines in place for the protection of the animals living at these sites.
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Promote tourism: Marine life sanctuaries are popular destinations, encouraging tourism and providing much-needed revenue for the agencies tasked with protecting marine life, wildlife, and natural habitats.
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Classrooms and laboratories for students and teachers: Marine life sanctuaries are virtual classrooms and laboratories for children of all ages, as well as for college students and researchers. They’re the perfect environment for teaching students about the interactions between various species, and for demonstrating the importance of healthy ecosystems.
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Support for commercial activities: In some marine life sanctuaries, commercial activities including kelp harvest, recreational boating and tours, and some charter fishing are allowed. This helps preserve balance while promoting job development and encouraging people to interact with the marine environment in a positive manner.
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Keeping the ecosystem in balance: In many places, ecosystems are terribly imbalanced. While conservationists do work to promote balance in these areas, marine life sanctuaries help to maintain balance not just within their borders, but outside as well. Healthy migratory species are able to repopulate nearby areas, restoring natural balance in the process.
Legislation for Protecting Marine Life Sanctuaries
Many nations worldwide have passed legislation designating specific sites as marine life sanctuaries. The United States instituted the 1972 Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries act to designate certain marine and Great Lakes environments as marine life sanctuaries.
These areas are administered by the Office of National Marine Life Sanctuaries, which was instituted under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Office of National Marine Life Sanctuaries works not just with the public, but with local, state, territory, and federal authorities to promote environmental conservation and provide protection for marine life, birds, and other animals indigenous to designated Marine Life Sanctuaries. In addition, the agency increases public awareness concerning marine history and heritage, supports scientific research, encourages exploration, provides monitoring, and administers educational and outreach programs.
The National Marine Sanctuaries Act provides legal framework for supporting certain activities and prohibiting others; each of the sites are protected with specific legislations and regulations which have been set in place to protect, preserve, and conserve marine species and the environments they rely on, while permitting compatible commercial and recreational activities within sanctuary boundaries. Local, state, territory, and federal authorities have implemented complementary regulations that affect activities within the sanctuaries.
Top Marine Life Sanctuaries
While all marine life sanctuaries are special, some offer exceptional scuba diving experiences:
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Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: Surrounding the Florida Keys Archipelago, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary covers a stunning area comprising approximately 2,900 square miles. This sanctuary is famous for its extensive offshore coral reefs, as well as for its magnificent mangrove forests and its spectacular sea grass fields.
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Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary: Located in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Texas and Louisiana coasts, the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary protects three specific areas where Caribbean reef species and many other animals thrive.
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Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary: With complex caves, troughs, burrows, and overhangs, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is located along the southeast coast of the United States, and is one of the world’s largest near-coast sandstone reefs. This unique environment is home to unique sessile invertebrates, fish, and many other animals.
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Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary: One of the most productive marine sanctuaries in the United States, the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is home to approximately 29 marine mammal species including Gray Whales. In addition, it is a haven for numerous seabird species, including Albatrosses.
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The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary: Covering nearly 1,300 square miles, the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is located off San Francisco Bay, surrounding the Farallones Islands and providing habitat for marine mammals, sharks, and many other creatures.
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Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary: Located off the coast of southern California, the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary covers a little over 1,250 square miles. Beautiful kelp forests can be found here, and orange garibaldis, guitar sharks, and many other unique species call this sanctuary home.
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Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary: Covering 449 square miles off the coast of California, the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary serves as a breeding ground for migratory marine mammals while providing a stable environment for fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates of all kinds.
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Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Situated within an eroded volcanic crater in American Samoa, Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary is the smallest of all the sanctuaries, covering 163 acres off Tutuila Island. Home to sea turtles, tropical fish, and many other animals, it has a splendid fringing reef and is an amazing place to dive.
Whether you visit just one or all of these and the rest of the US National Marine Sanctuaries, you are certain to come away with a new appreciation for the beauty of the natural environment and the importance of ecological preservation.