What area is protected by a national marine sanctuary?
The Sanctuary System consists of marine protected areas that encompass more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington State to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa.
Why is the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary protected?
Sanctuary protections help ensure the survival of marine wildlife like this fur seal. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is one of our nation’s most treasured marine areas. The mission we’ve been given is to protect this area and ensure future generations are able to use and enjoy it too.
Which activities are allowed in national marine sanctuaries?
Explore the many ways visitors like you enjoy their sanctuary by navigating through the options below.
- Diving and Snorkeling.
- Fishing.
- Boating.
- Paddle Sports.
- Surfing.
- Whale Watching.
- Wildlife Viewing.
- Tide Pooling.
Where is the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary?
Washington state
It is located along the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state. The sanctuary was declared in 1994 and encompasses 3,189 square miles (8,260 km2) of the Pacific Ocean from Cape Flattery in the north, to the mouth of the Copalis River, a distance of about 162.5 miles (261.5 km).
How does a national marine sanctuary differ from a marine protected area?
‘marine reserve’ means an area (often within a given MPA, sometimes synonymous with an MPA) with strict Category I protection. a national or international ‘sanctuary’, on the other hand, is a very large area designated as a refuge from hunting.
Why is it called the Olympic Peninsula?
Named after the Olympic Mountains it encompasses, the park was established on June 29, 1938, by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to preserve the area’s unique wildlife and landscapes. There are few parks with such diverse ecosystems and varied geography.
What are you not allowed to do in a marine sanctuary?
No-take zones are marine protected areas that do not allow any fishing, mining, drilling, or other extractive activities. As a result, fish in no-take zones can age and grow to large, healthy sizes.
What is the National Marine Sanctuary Act?
The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate and protect areas of the marine environment with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational or esthetic qualities as national …
What do regulations in marine protected areas typically apply to?
Marine protected areas (MPA) are protected areas of seas, oceans, estuaries or in the US, the Great Lakes. These marine areas can come in many forms ranging from wildlife refuges to research facilities. MPAs restrict human activity for a conservation purpose, typically to protect natural or cultural resources.
How big is the Olympic coast marine sanctuary?
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary includes 2,408 square nautical miles of marine waters off the rugged Olympic Peninsula coastline. The sanctuary extends 25 to 50 miles seaward, covering much of the continental shelf and several major submarine canyons.
What are the regulations for National Marine Sanctuary?
These regulations are intended to protect recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational and aesthetic resources and qualities of the Sanctuary. History and full text of the entire National Marine Sanctuary Program regulations
How are murres protected in a marine sanctuary?
Breeding populations of murres are protected under sanctuary regulations. With the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA), Congress directs the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA to identify, designate and manage National Marine Sanctuaries for the American people.
Can a sea turtle be removed from a sanctuary?
Possessing within the Sanctuary (regardless of where taken, moved or removed from) any historical resource, or any marine mammal, sea turtle, or seabird taken in violation of the MMPA, ESA or MBTA.