National Marine Sanctuary Day is October 23! Here’s why sanctuaries matter and how we can strengthen them.
On October 23, 1972, the United States launched a new era of ocean conservation with the enactment of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. This landmark federal law provides for the creation and management of National Marine Sanctuaries to help conserve special ocean and Great Lakes places along with the recreational, cultural, and historical resources they provide. While sanctuaries are multiple-use areas, a key purpose is to maintain the health of natural ecosystems and biological communities.
Since its humble beginnings, the sanctuary program has grown into a nationwide network of 15 marine sanctuaries and two marine monuments that conserve more than 620,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. From the Hawaiian Islands to the Florida Keys, from Stellwagen Bank to Washington’s Olympic Coast, these areas encompass some of our nation’s most outstanding and culturally significant marine resources. Some popular recreational uses of sanctuaries include beach going, surfing, paddling, diving, fishing and wildlife viewing to name a few!
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is updating its regulations based on a restoration blueprint (Image: NOAA)
In recognition of the key role that sanctuaries play in conserving our ocean and Great Lakes, Surfrider and our partners are celebrating #NationalMarineSanctuaryDay on October 23. This year's themes include stories of youth leadership and activism, expanding access to sanctuaries for tourism and recreation, and highlighting arts and culture inspired by our protected waters. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is organizing #NationalMarineSanctuaryDay to raise awareness and urge the public to take action to strengthen this important program. Join the celebration on your favorite social networks and share what sanctuaries mean to you!
National Marine Sanctuaries bring together diverse interests to collaborate on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes stewardship. The sanctuary program actively engages with local communities, tribes, scientists, stakeholders, and businesses on place-based conservation and stewardship strategies that involve local people. Across the United States, many Surfrider chapters support marine sanctuaries in their region through volunteer programs, cleanups and restoration events, and participation in sanctuary advisory councils (SACs).
Yet, despite the success of the sanctuary program over the past five decades, it’s clear we must do more to protect our nation’s ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The combined threats of pollution, climate change, coastal development, fishing, energy projects and more are exhausting our marine ecosystems. Our response must include strengthening the National Marine Sanctuary program to meet the challenges of the 21st century. That’s why the Surfrider Foundation is waging a national campaign to strengthen sanctuaries from coast to coast!
An expanded, better funded, and more impactful National Marine Sanctuary program is essential to conserving our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.
Surfrider joined 25 other organizations in urging the Biden administration to strengthen the National Marine Sanctuary program. Our recommendations build upon the program’s strategic plan and suggest the following:
Surfrider is also waging regional campaigns in support of marine sanctuaries across the country. We recently won a major victory with the designation of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off California following years of advocacy. We are urging NOAA to designate the Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary off New York. Finally, Surfrider is working to increase protections for existing sanctuaries including the Florida Keys and Olympic Coast 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.
NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program
Expand Protections for the Florida Keys