United States National Marine Sanctuary

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A U.S. National Marine Sanctuary is a protected marine ecosystem within U.S. waters. Currently there are 13 sanctuaries, which are administered by the National Marine Sanctuaries Program, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program began after an oil spill off California in 1969 brought the plight of marine ecosystems to national attention. Congress responded in 1972 with the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act which allowed for the creation of marine sanctuaries.

List of U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic, Gulf Coast)
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (Gulf Coast)
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic)
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
Hawaii Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic)
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic)
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Great Lakes)

External links

[National Marine Sanctuaries]

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