What is the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries?
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a system of fourteen underwater protected areas ranging in size from less than one square mile to over 137,797 square miles. National marine sanctuaries are located in marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Ocean Service has managed national marine sanctuaries since passage of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act in 1972. Protecting sanctuary resources requires a great deal of planning, management, and cooperation between federal, tribal, state and local officials, and the public. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries works cooperatively with its partners and the public to balance enjoyment and use with long-term conservation. Improving public awareness of our marine heritage, coordinating scientific research, monitoring and exploring underwater ecosystems, and conducting educational
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