"Today, marine sanctuaries are places in the
sea, as elusive as a sea breeze, as tangible as a
singing whale. They are beautiful, or priceless, or
rare bargains, or long-term assets, or fun, or all
of these and more. Above all, sanctuaries are now
and with care will continue to be 'special places.'
Each of us can have the pleasure of defining what
--Dr. Sylvia Earle
What Are Marine
In 1972, as Americans became more aware of the
intrinsic ecological and cultural value of our
coastal waters, Congress passed the Marine
Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. This law
authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate
our most cherished marine waters as national marine
sanctuaries, in order to protect and manage their
priceless resources. In the years since that time,
13 national marine sanctuaries have been created.
They include nearshore coral reefs and open oceans,
rich banks and submarine canyons, intertidal areas,
and sheltered bays. National marine sanctuaries
range in size from less than a neighborhood
(Fagatele Bay, American Samoa--0.6 square
kilometers or 0.25 square miles) to larger than the
state of Connecticut (Monterey Bay--13,800 square
kilometers or 5,328 square miles).
Sanctuaries harbor a dazzling array of algae,
plants, and animals. These protected waters provide
a secure habitat for species close to extinction;
and they protect historically significant
shipwrecks and archaeological sites. They serve as
natural classrooms for students of all ages and as
living laboratories for scientists.
Sanctuaries are cherished recreational spots for
diving, wilderness hiking, and sport-fishing. They
also support valuable commercial industries such as
marine transportation, fishing, and kelp
harvesting. The perpetual challenge of managing
these areas is maintaining the critical balance
between environmental protection and economic
Sanctuaries For All
A sanctuary's true definition lies in the eyes of
the beholder. To a scientist, a sanctuary is a
natural laboratory. To a motel owner it is an
attraction to visitors. To schoolchildren, a
sanctuary is a special playground--a place to
explore and discover. To environmental engineers
charged with restoring damaged ecosystems, a
sanctuary is a yardstick against which they can
gauge "good health." Fishermen, however, might see
the sanctuary as a threat to traditional freedoms,
yet upon reflection, realize that it is the best
hope for maintaining their way of life.
Trying to meet these needs leaves many
unanswered questions. How large does a sanctuary
need to be in order to protect the ecosystems that
lie within? How much pressure can an ecosystem
sustain from activities bordering its boundaries?
How many fish can we take while ensuring a healthy
population for the long term?
National marine sanctuaries represent our riches
as a nation. They are treasures that belong to
every citizen, and to every generation of citizens
to come. We have the right to enjoy them and--just
as importantly--the responsibility to sustain them
for the long-term.
Responsibility for the entire National Marine
Sanctuary program lies within the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, which is under the
US Department of Commerce.
On a local level, the Monterey Bay National
Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council was established
by Federal law to assure continued public
participation in the management of the Sanctuary.
Since its establishment in March 1994, the Council
has played a vital role in the decisions affecting
the Sanctuary along the central California Coast.
The Council's nineteen voting members represent a
variety of local user groups, as well as the
general public, plus seven local, state and federal
governmental jurisdictions. In addition, the
respective managers for the four California
National Marine Sanctuaries (Channel Islands
National Marine Sanctuary, Cordell Bank National
Marine Sanctuary, Gulf of the Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary, and the Monterey Bay National
Marine Sanctuary) and the Elkhorn Slough National
Estuarine Research Reserve sit as non-voting
Dedicated Council members have laid a strong
foundation for the Sanctuary's structure, policies,
and procedures. Sanctuary goals to promote
research, education and resource protection are a
major focus for the Council, and members work
diligently to promote public stewardship.
The Council has proven to be a powerful voice
for the general public, responding to citizen
concerns, ideas and needs. The Council provides a
public forum for its constituents, working to
enhance communications and provide a conduit for
bringing the concerns of user groups and
stakeholders to the attention of Sanctuary managers
and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Headquarters in Washington, D.C.