Famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau once stated, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
One place where the myriad diversity of ocean life can be fully experienced is in a marine sanctuary. A national marine sanctuary is a designated zone where the marine environment enjoys special protection. Marine sanctuaries are safe havens for complex ecosystems that can provide a variety of species with breeding or feeding grounds as well as protection for coral reefs and kelp forests. Some marine sanctuaries harbor archeological sites or historic shipwrecks.
In the US, there are many marine sanctuaries on both the east and west coasts, the Great Lakes area, and the Gulf of Mexico. Also, there is the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, an area encompassing 582,250 square miles near the Hawaiian Island chain that is undergoing the process to be officially designated as a protected marine site.
Marine Sanctuaries Around the World
There are many marine sanctuaries around the world, including the Galapagos, Palau, and Thailand, to name just a few. Others include the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area, a 600,000-square-mile zone in Antarctica’s Ross Sea; Apo Island in the Philippines; and a 2,677-square-kilometer (about 1,033 square miles) protected area around the Selvagens Islands near Portugal in the North Atlantic.
Activities at Marine Sanctuaries
Unlike other marine sanctuaries, Hawaii's Papahānaumokuākea is a protected site due to its habitat, species unique to the Hawaiian Island chain, and endangered animals such as monk seals and the Laysan duck. The sanctuary is restricted to specific purposes and requires protected site special permits. Thus, visits to the Papahānaumokuākea tend to involve scientific research, habitat restoration, or conducting cultural practices, although “virtual visits” are available.
But many other national marine sanctuaries throughout the United States encourage visitors. In Northern California, a popular destination for thousands of visitors every year is the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. According to the Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network, the Monterey Bay Sanctuary is “one of the most productive marine areas in the world.” There are 36 species of marine mammals, over 180 species of seabirds and shorebirds, at least 525 species of fishes, four species of turtles, 31 phyla of invertebrates, and more than 450 species of algae.
Visitors to the waters of this extraordinary marine sanctuary can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and tide pooling, among other activities. Fishing is also a popular pastime in the area, and Monterey has great wildlife viewing, including visitations by whales.
Blue Carbon in Marine Sanctuaries
Marine sanctuaries support a variety of ecosystems, all vitally important to the health of seas and their inhabitants. The planet, and consequently human existence itself, is dependent on the health of its waters. Marine ecosystems, like tidal salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrass areas, can store blue carbon, sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigating concerns over climate change.
Marine ecosystems, like tidal salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrass areas, can store blue carbon, sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigating concerns over climate change.
Challenges at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is home to a diverse community of underwater habitats. Additionally, the Keys has the only coral barrier reef in the continental United States and is home to the largest documented contiguous seagrass community in the Northern Hemisphere.
More than 6,000 animal species inhabit the Keys, and there are nine submerged shipwrecks on its Shipwreck Trail. The Keys are a prime location for diving, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. In addition to the coral barrier reef, the Keys also have extensive mangrove-fringed islands where the roseate spoonbill and other species of rare birds seek refuge to nest.
The Keys are also home to approximately 77,000 permanent residents and millions of visitors every year, so protecting the environment is a full-time job.
According to Alexandra Fine, a research specialist of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's Science Team, the staff faces many challenges—such as the special two-day sport lobster fishing event.
“Our total Marine Sanctuary jurisdiction covers about 253 miles; it is an extensive area for which our team is responsible,” says Fine. “One big challenge we have to face every year is … the lobster sport season, July 24 to July 25. Noncommercial fishermen can catch up to six lobsters a day. It’s a crazy time—and dangerous.”
The recreational lobster “mini-season” carries risk: In the last 10 years, lobster mini-season resulted in “an average of two dive fatalities per season,” Florida’s Voice reported this June, citing the Divers Alert Network.
Another challenge in the Keys involves boat drivers who damage the coral reefs or research equipment.
“We have distributed many buoys for boats to tie up to discourage anchors being dropped on coral reefs,” says Fine. “We also have a number of scientific buoys used to collect data. They are bright yellow and quite large—30-inches [in diameter]. They have no mooring lines, and vessels are not allowed to tie up to them. They are hard to miss if you are paying attention. But boats occasionally hit them and can do some real damage; this also results in data no longer being collected, which impacts our research.”
“But boats occasionally hit [scientific buoys] and can do some real damage; this also results in data no longer being collected, which impacts our research.”
Coral Reefs: Another Vital Ecosystem
Coral reefs are sometimes referred to as the “rainforests of the sea.” Located throughout the world, coral reef ecosystems are highly biodiverse and a high percentage of marine species—including fish, sea turtles and crustaceans—rely on them for survival. Coral loss is a serious problem—in the Keys, nearly 90% of the live corals have been lost in the last 40 years, and reef restoration efforts are underway.
Mission: Iconic Reefs in the Florida Keys
“Since 2019, when Mission: Iconic Reefs was started, we have been directing many of our resources to restoring coral reefs in the Keys,” says Fine. “We collaborate with other organizations, including the Coral Restoration Foundation. … We have to determine where corals can be ‘planted.’ We check for diseased corals, and water temperatures need to be monitored. Coral cannot be relocated if it is already too hot.”
“When we find an area of corals that have successful spawning, we have to control where people anchor. A team is constantly checking moorings, so people can tie up boats without damaging coral reefs,” Fine explains. In fact, three temporary special use areas were set up until October as sites for relocating nursery corals.
“It is a balancing act; we need to consider the science, but also have to include ‘stockholders’—fishers, divers, tourists, the tourism commission. We hold public staff meetings with a committee. If we are creating a new regulation, people can voice their opinion.”
Fine says that coral management includes public involvement as well. “As a research scientist, I look at carbonate chemistry; everything must be research-based. It is a balancing act; we need to consider the science, but also have to include ‘stockholders’—fishers, divers, tourists, the tourism commission. We hold public staff meetings with a committee. If we are creating a new regulation, people can voice their opinion.”
How to Support Marine Sanctuaries
There are many ways to care for marine sanctuaries, either on site or from one’s living room. Fine suggests educating oneself about marine environments, participating in beach cleanups, and avoiding single-use plastics. When possible, eat sustainable seafood.
It is easy to be discouraged by gloomy forecasts in the media regarding the future well-being of Earth. But everyone can make a difference. Keeping a positive, forward-looking mindset and participating in workable solutions benefits the planet, and all its inhabitants.
*Kate Pugnoli is an Arizona-based freelance journalist and former educator who works with nonprofit organizations. Her area of interest is in addressing environmental issues impacting marine biodiversity and conservation.
For more ways to support marine sanctuaries, visit NOAA’s website:
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