Strengthen the National Marine Sanctuary Program
Surfrider is advocating for a stronger National Marine Sanctuary Program including enhanced protections, new designations and sufficient funding.
Surfrider is working with our partners to strengthen the National Marine Sanctuary Program through a national campaign. Over fifty years ago, the United States enacted the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, a landmark federal law that provides for the creation and management of marine sanctuaries. Since its humble beginnings in 1972, the program has grown into a nationwide network of 15 marine sanctuaries and 2 marine monuments that conserve more than 620,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters.
Yet, despite the success of the sanctuary program, it’s clear we must do more to protect our nation’s ocean and coasts. The combined threats of pollution, climate change, coastal development, fishing, energy projects and more are pushing our marine ecosystems to the brink. Our response must include strengthening the National Marine Sanctuary program to meet the challenges of the 21st century. An expanded, better funded, and more impactful marine sanctuary program is an essential piece of conserving our ocean and coasts for the next fifty years and beyond.
Surfrider recently joined 25 other organizations in submitting recommendations to the Biden administration on ways to strengthen the National Marine Sanctuary program. These key recommendations build upon the program’s new strategic plan and include:
- Provide a clear mission statement for the National Marine Sanctuary Program
- Implement science-based protections in response to condition reports
- Establish science reserves within sanctuaries to enhance ecological protections
- Remove barriers to sanctuary nominations from interested communities
- Support meaningful community engagement opportunities
- Increase public access to sanctuary resources
- Improve water quality protections by coordinating with relevant agencies.
To read the full letter submitted to the White House click here.
Surfrider is also waging regional campaigns in support of marine sanctuaries across the country. We are urging NOAA to designate new sanctuaries including the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off California, the Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary off New York, and the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary south of Hawaii.
Surfrider is also working to increase protections for existing sanctuaries and monuments including the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Northeast Canyons & Seamounts Marine Monument and others through engaging in management plan updates.
Science from around the world shows that highly and fully-protected areas produce stronger conservation outcomes, particularly with respect to biodiversity and ecological functions. Experience also shows that local support from community members is a critical ingredient to the success of protected areas. Accordingly, Surfrider will continue to support NOAA’s efforts to expand sanctuary conservation measures through the positive engagement of local communities, stakeholders and the public.