NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 15 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.
NOAA Articles
Located 16 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, the Civil War shipwreck, USS Monitor, is protected and managed by Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and is listed as a National Historic Landmark and protected as a war grave. Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is a unique cultural treasure for the most adventurous of skilled divers.
Sarah Fangman and Jennifer Moore are behind the NOAA-led and partner-driven effort to restore seven coral reef sites in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Learn what inspired and challenged these women leaders.
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, often described as the “Galapagos of North America,” is home to incredible marine wildlife, kelp forests, and maritime heritage artifacts, and contains waters that sustained Chumash people since time immemorial.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is an off the beaten path destination for the most adventurous divers. Divers who visit the sanctuary can explore some of the healthiest corals in the world, a manta ray nursery and a chance to see whale sharks.