C 55.2: AC 2 A ONAL MA .ANCTUARn. ^ TH£ /JSTTO TM sep 1? 1998 section .story CopV -w %'cbara '9tf. "Daley "Dr. & c3 a Save Our Keys was an integral link between sanctuary staff, the public, and state government. This group of dedicated individuals believed in the preservation and conservation of the marine resources that make up the anctuary and worked hard to see that the management plan was implemented. Save Our Keys was initially founded to educate citizens the importance of the sanctuary during a 1996 rend urn. The committee grew out of Is of the Florida Keys, an earlier grassroots organization that coordinated support during hearings on the sanctuary's draft management plan. Environmental activists included David Holtz (pictured above), Karen Lee, Jim Hurley, Frank Hawkins and Cheva Heck as campaign director. Many other Keys residents signe committee members, acting as "goodwill ambassadors" for the sanctuary among their neighbors and colleagues. Florida ^eys, Florida \.\' 9iabilate Coral reefs Patch & bank reefs Mangrove-fringed shorelines & islands Sand flats Seagrass meadows 9fcy (5pea\ aes Brain & star coral Sea fan Loggerhead sea turtle Sponge Turtle grass Angelfish Spiny lobster Stone crab Grouper Tarpon Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary supports one of the most diverse assemblages of underwater plants and animals in North America. Although best known for its coral reefs, the shallow waters near the shore are composed of interconnecting and interdependent natural habitats such as fringing mangroves, seagrass meadows, hardbottom regions, patch reefs, and bank reefs. This complex marine ecosystem forms the foundation of the commercial fishing and tourism- based economies so important to Florida. Research Activities Within the 3,674-square mile sanctuary, scientists conduct a wide array of research activities. In coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Florida, the Florida Keys Sanctuary monitors ecosystem health. Currently, the sanctuary is closely monitoring successes in the precedent setting "no take" zones. A sanctuary-wide, multidisciplinary cruise assesses the current status of coral habitat. Throughout the year on-site assistance for regional university research projects takes place. Staff also maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) on the marine environment. Education Activities The Florida Keys Sanctuary increases community education through television, radio, and print media. Training workshops and school programs such as the Coral Reef Classroom combine classroom and field activities for eighth graders and promote the sanctuary's mission of marine preservation. On-site interpretive tours and volunteer programs such as Team OCEAN expanded community involvement by bringing in more than 22,000 hours of volunteer help annually. Location The waters surrounding the archipelago formed by the Florida Keys Protected Area 3,674-square miles Designation November 1990 Approved July 1997 Address P.O. Box 500368 Marathon, FL 33050 Communication Tel: (305) 743-2437 Fax: (305) 743-2357 E-mail: fknms@ ocean.nos.noaa.gov Web Page: nos.noaa. gov/nmsp/fknms/ ^Orida ^eys, Florida arden ^ank Big Time with Little Texas In 1997, "A Big Time With Little Texas" benefit concert raised over $63,000 for research and education at the Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary. Corporate and private donors joined with Little Texas, a country rock band and sanctuary supporter, who performed the concert at the Houston Seaspace, an annual major diving show. The successful fundraiser resulted from the efforts of the marine sanctuary, a major record label, and three environmental nonprofit organizations — the Gulf of Mexico Foundation's Flower Gardens Fund, Seaspace, and Reef Environmental Education Foundation. Proceeds were divided among the nonprofits for research and education projects at the sanctuary. anKs NMS Teaching the Teachers The Gulf of Mexico Foundation's Flower Gardens Fund and Shell Oil Foundation made it possible for 18 educators from across the nation to visit the Flower Gardens in the second "Down Under, Out Yonder" teachers workshop. To promote a multi-disciplinary approach to sanctuary education, participants came from all subject areas, and included classroom teachers and informal educators. Participants heard lectures on coral reef ecology, reef fish identification, research and management of the sanctuary, oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, and biological productivity on artificial reefs. Experts from the government, academia, private nonprofits, and industry presented the daily lectures. Following the lectures, participants 97c ower ncxi spent two da\ s di\ ing in the sanctuary. Between dives, researchers and industry experts reviewed the lecture material and helped participants hone their fish identification skills. Fish surveys conducted by the educators were included in a national database of fish species, available on the Internet at www.reef.org. In a separate venture, the sanctuary teamed with NOAA's "Teacher at Sea" program and hosted two teachers on a research cruise. The teachers observed researchers and assisted with various tasks such as dissecting fish lor genetic analysis and examining Sargassum (floating algae). As a result of their research, they are better prepared to teach children about the sanctuary's marine resources. Great American Fish Counts The sanctuary hosted organizers of the Great American Fish Count during a four-day training cruise in rden '-Banks international J2inks The Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary's mission to promote marine stewardship reached a global audience in 1997 when sanctuary staff presented papers at the International Coral Reef Symposium. One paper, authored by Sanctuary Manager Steve Gittings, C.V. Pattengill and B.X. Semmens, looks at reef fish structure at the Flower Gardens and Stetson Bank in the Gulf of Mexico. In "Regulation by reason: science and management in the Flower Gardens Sanctuary, NW Gulf of Mexico, " Gittings, C.L Ostrom and K.J. P. Deslarzes discuss the impact of the oil industry on the northwest Gulf of Mexico and management at the sanctuary. The authors emphasize the importance of using sound scientific research and monitoring upon which to base sanctuary resource management decisions related to the oil and gas industry. Papers such as these have prompted representatives from Mexico, the Bahamas, and England to use the Flower Gardens as one example of how marine protected areas can successfully coexist with the oil and gas industries. 25 June. Participants learned the methodologies to instruct volunteers in fish identification, and then visited the sanctuary to conduct fish surveys. Organizers conducted fish identification classes in several Texas cities to train volunteers to conduct surveys. Additional surveys were conducted during the year by REEF and researcher Christy Pattengill. Altogether, 854 surveys were conducted in 1997 by over 50 volunteer and scientific divers. Nine species were recorded for the first time at the Flower Gardens. One commercially valuable species, the yellowtail snapper, was spotted. It appears to have migrated to the area by "island hopping" along gas and oil platforms. This information is useful for resource managers because, in addition to potentially altering the ecological balance of the reef, its appearance may require increased interaction between sanctuary personnel and the commercial fishing industry. 7997 BP Exploration was the major sponsor of the successful Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary benefit concert performed by the country rock band, Little Texas, which raised over $63,000 for marine science scholarships. BP Exploration has been a long-standing partner in ocean science programs in the Gulf of Mexico. As a member of the Flower Gardens Ocean Research Program, BP supports an innovative "Platforms for Research Program" providing logistics support, room and board, lab space, and other support to offshore research projects. BP Exploration supported projects such as fisheries and artificial reef ecology by Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi; migratory bird ecology by Louisiana State University; and sperm whale biology and behavior by National Geographic and Texas A&M University, Galveston. In a recent project, graduate students from Texas A&M study artificial reef productivity i on the legs of the platforms and compare them to the natural reefs in the Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary. Slower Qarden Ibanks, Texas/Louisiana 26 9iabitafs Coral reefs Algal-sponge communities Brine seep Sand flats Pelagic, open ocean Artificial reef (Species Star coral Brain coral Manta ray Hammerhead shark Loggerhead sea turtle Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary lies 110 miles off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana where three underwater gardens emerge from the depths of the Gulf of Mexico like oases in the desert. The Flower Gardens and Stetson banks are surface expressions of salt domes beneath the sea floor. These premier diving destinations harbor the northernmost coral reefs in the United States and serve as regional reservoirs of shallow-water Caribbean reef fishes and invertebrates. Research Activities Research and monitoring activities are designed to provide crucial information of special ecosystems within the sanctuary. Sanctuary staff actively pursue cooperative partnerships with universities, non-profit organizations, industry, and other government agencies. In addition to annual monitoring of general reef health, research activities currently include: population census and behavioral studies on fish, turtles, sharks, and rays; satellite tracking of sea turtles; mass coral spawning; genetic studies on fish, turtles, and corals; paleoclimatology; and coral diseases. Education Activities Four major target audiences — recreational divers, oil and gas industry, teachers, and students — are identified as high priority for the sanctuary's education and outreach efforts because of their potential to impact the continued health of sanctuary natural resources. Shipboard presentations on charter vessels, trade show exhibits, oil spill drill exercises, workshops are some of the ways the sanctuary reaches diverse audiences. Outreach tools include brochures, posters, videos, and a series on sanctuary research and management practices. LOUISIANA ••. New Orleans* Flower Garden Banks NMS iison Bank oo Flower oarden Banks Gull of Mexico Location Roughly 110 miles south of the Texas- Louisiana border Protected Area 56-square miles Designation January 1992 October 1996, Stetson Bank Address 216 W. 26th Street Suite 104 Bryan, TX 77803 Communication Tel: (409) 779-2705 Fax: (409) 779-2334 E-mail: flower_ gardens(a ocean. nos.noaa.gov Web Page: www. nos.noaa.gov/ocrm/ nmsp/nmsflower gardenbanks.html Corner Qarden ^anks, Texas/Louisiana (Reef NMS From Whaling to Watching Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary joined with other public and private organizations to improve the plight of the northern right whale, the most endangered of all the great whales. The ocean once teemed with these giant mammals; today, their populations numbers less than 300. A new sanctuary video From Whaling to Watching, documents the threats facing right whales. The video, produced by Gray's Reef and Stellwagen Bank sanctuaries and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, joins detailed graphics and maps with inspiring footage of whale behavior and informative interviews by prominent scientists and educators. The video accompanies an education handbook and poster, which together explore the life history of the world's most endangered large whale. Sanctuary educational activities originally geared for grades six through eight is used by students of all ages, and as a teacher and media resource. It provides the only guide of its kind for a general adult audience. Paleoenvironmental Exploration Since Dr. Erv Garrison, Associate Professor at the University of Georgia and paleo-environmental researcher, discovered over a dozen fossils at Gray's Reef in 1996, the sanctuary has sought to learn more about its past. Studies indicate that approx- imately 25,000 to 6,000 years ago Gray's Reef was a terrestrial environment as glaciers advanced and sea levels fell. Researchers believe that during the last glacial periods, Gray's Reef was an outer barrier island ofT Georgia's coast, populated by paleo-Indian communities and large mammals of 2(5 ^jPfes the Pleistocene such as mastodons and saber tooth tigers. Sediment cores reveal high concentrations of organic material, most likely coniferous plants (probably eastern cedar or juniper), indicating the existence of" a cold paleoclimate during the sanctuary's most recent terrestrial past. Similar cores point to the existence of a marsh or estuarine environment on the reef. The evidence to date support findings that the "terrestrial" Gray's Reef exhibited a riverine region, and experienced changes from freshwater to brackish to a marine environment when humans were believed to be present on the coast. Satellites and Sea Turtles Gray's Reef Natural Marine Sanctuary provides an important habitat for sea turtles, including the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. The ledges and overhangs of the reef supplies the loggerhead with MS international J3inks Gray's Reef Manager Reed Bonne has appointments to the Marine and Coastal and the Biosphere Directorates of the U.S. Man and the Biosphere Reserve Program. In this capacity, he has chaired international biosphere reserve meetings on marine protected areas in France, Slovakia, and the Canary Islands. As a result of the 1997 meeting in the Canary Islands, Gray's Reef and the Lanzarote Marine Reserve in the Canary Islands have teamed up to develop a joint educational program about right whales and loggerhead sea turtles. The project scheduled for 1998 involves creation of a collaborative Internet web page and provisions for a live broadcast from both sites in Spanish and English for the International Year of the Ocean. rn Regal Sea Fan Photo: Passage Productions 29 protected resting spots, a bountiful resource of food, and close proximity to nesting sites on barrier island beaches. To study threatened loggerhead sea turtle behavior and movement in the South Atlantic Bight, the sanctuary, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are using satellite transmitters to track turtle migrations. The project was designed to tag nesting turtles on Georgia's beaches and individuals offshore in the Gray's Reef sanctuary. The project succeeded in tagging three nesting loggerhead turtles on Wassaw and Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuges. Signals from the transmitters tracked the three turtles as far north as Virginia and then followed their return toward Georgia waters. A map of the movements of the turtles is available on the Internet. Scientists, teachers, students and the public can follow the trail of the turtles at www. whale, wheelock. edn/whalenet- stuff ■head cover, html. c3& Gray's Reef Sanctuary, designated for its special biological and recreational significance, depends on volunteer diving to aid in monitoring resource trends and to support management. -nctuary, NOAA's National Undersea Research Center, and NOAA Diving Program have teamed up to train exceptional students from regional universities for volunteer work at the sanctuary and for careers in Marine Science. An intense two-week, classroom and field training course was offered in 1997 in Savannah, Georgia, certifying students in First Aid, Oxygen delivery, Nitrox diving, and NOAA scuba diving. Additional seminars taught research methods including techniques in conducting ecological surveys and benthic inventories, as well as fish behavior and abu nsusmg. These volunteer divers have been true stars of the sea for Gray's Reef Each contributes greatly to the sanctuary's mission of preserving and protecting precious marine environments. They are much appreciate Gray S ^eef. Georgia 30 habitats Calcareous sandstone ledges Sand bottom communities Tropical/temperate reef (Species Northern right whale Loggerhead sea turtle Grouper Black sea bass Angelfish Vase sponge Ivory bush coral Sea whips Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary one of the largest nearshore sandstone reefs in the southeastern United States, lies just off the coast of Georgia, in waters 20 meters deep. The area earned sanctuary designation in 1981 and was recognized as an international Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. Gray's Reef consists of sandstone outcroppings and ledges up to three meters in height, with sandy, flat-bottomed troughs between. Because of the diversity of marine life, Gray's Reef contains one of the most popular sport fishing and diving destinations along the Georgia coast. Research Activities Gray's Reef Sanctuary's research activities combine long-term monitoring of environmental conditions and processes and on-site projects by regional researchers. It also conducts reef fish tagging and assessment, benthic invertebrate monitoring and geoarchaeological surveys. Education Activities Community outreach marine programs, seminars, and presentations along with education publications and exhibits offer the community an opportunity to learn more about the vulnerable ocean ecosystems. The sanctuary's marine science curriculum instructs elementary, middle, and high school students. The Georgia Distance Learning Network conducts statewide programs. Location 20 miles east of Sapelo Island, Georgia Protected Area 23-square miles Designation January 1981 Address 10 Ocean Science Circle Savannah, GA 31411 Communication Tel: (912) 598-2345 Fax: (912) 598-2367 E-mail: GRNMSfa ocean.nos.noaa.gov Web Page: www.sk io peachnet. edu/noaa/ grnms.html Qray s ^eef, Georgia LVt": • K 7 $£Q&- Vbe farallones vs Individuals Key to Response, Restoration In 1997 the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary negotiated the restoration of 500 acres of diked pasture back into wetland habitat in Tomales Bay through an interagency cooperative agreement. During the year, the sanctuary was heavily involved in response and damage assessment activities to two oil spills. Throughout the response phase of the spills, federal and state resource trustees relied on data collected by sanctuary-trained volunteers from the BeachWatch program. The Department of Commerce recognized the contributions of Beach Watch by awarding its Environmental Hero Award to the group. NMS Reaching Out to the Community The Gulf of the Farallones educated over 2,100 people through inter- pretive or field outings into the sanctuary. Field outings included offshore interpretive trips focusing on the open ocean, seabirds and marine mammals, kayak trips into the esteros to teach about wetland and estuarine ecology, and coastal walks promoting the sanctuary trail and the importance of stewardship and shorebird identification. A lecture series covered topics ranging from white shark feeding ecology, cyclic occurrences of El Nino, the sanctuary's role in oil spill events, and the role of the marine sanctuaries in the community. QuJfoffhe cfaralh 32 El Nino Hampers Seabird Restoration Restoration or a Common Murre colony as a mitigation project resulting from the Apex Houston oil spill was another major sanctuary achievement. Common Murres are a species of special concern to the sanctuary, with populations in general decline due to human impacts. This project is successfully reestablishing a Common Murre colony at a site that was abandoned following the Apex Houston oil spill. The restoration project is a joint effort of the Department of Interior, Department of Commerce and the state of California. El Nino has greatly impacted the restoration effects and increased the work for sanctuary staff. Heavy swells generated b\ bad vveathei prevented them from placing attractants or decoys that lure birds to breeding grounds. international J^inks Recently, Japan turned to the Gulf of the Farallones marine sanctuary for information during a recent oil spill. The sanctuary provided the Japanese Government with beach survey protocols for implementation during the country's response to the Nakhodka oil spill. These protocols have been refined this year as the sanctuary and the Beach Watch surveyors responded to two oil spills within sanctuary boundaries. The survey protocols were requested through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who were in Japan assisting with the spill and familiar with the sanctuary's beach survey protocols. Qulfofihc Tnrn/knps ■ ..■:. . - ' *'*'' 1:> «. Ww Harbor Seals on Photo: GFNMS Libre - i*.**-._a&M El Nino also affected the Common Murres feeding grounds as warm water sent their natural food farther offshore. The lack of food impacts hatching success and birthrates, and sanctuary staff expect to see far fewer chicks this year than the preceding one. Along with Common Murres, the Gulf of the Farallones elephant seal population is expected to lose up to 75% of newborn pups because of El Nino. Food displacement and heavy storms often separate pups from their mothers during crucial nursing periods. This year the sanctuary will be assessing El Nino's impact through monitoring local pinniped, seabird, and shorebird populations and intertidal habitats. In 1999, the sanctuary assess recovery from this punishing weather phenomena. The Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA) provided invaluable support to the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries last year. Through expanding collaborative education, interpretation, 'utreach, and research programs, the cooperating nonprofit association helped to protect the biological diversity and abundance just outside the Golden Gate of 'an Francisco. The group's tireless dedication in promoting sanctuary goals and inspiring the residents of the San Francisco area make them an unparalleled asset and a unique vehicle of support. FMSA programs and activities increase awareness and appreciation while encouraging people to become stewards of their local sanctuaries and the world's oceans. As a shining example of care and concern for the marine environment, the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association is a Sea Star that continues to shine. Qulfoftbe farallones. California 34 habitats Coastal beaches Rocky intertidal Mud & tidal flats Salt marsh Esteros Pelagic, open ocean Deep benthos, continental shelf and slope (5pecies Dungeness crab California gray whale Stellar sea lion Common murre Ashy Storm-petrel Humpback whale Blue whale Rockfish & abalone Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary includes nurseries and spawning grounds for commercially valuable species, at least 33 species of marine mammals, and 1 5 species of breeding seabirds. One fifth of California's harbor seals breed within the sanctuary. The Farallon Islands are home to the largest concentration of breeding seabirds in the continental United States. The sanctuary boundaries include the coastline up to mean high tide, protecting a number of lagoons, estuaries, bays, and beaches for the public. Research Activities The Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary brings monitoring and restoration, assessment, and development in a variety of research activities. Its monitoring program studies rocky intertidal habitats within the sanctuary. In the Beach Watch program, trained volunteers conduct shoreline monitoring. Sanctuary workers help to restore marshes in Bolinas Lagoon and Tomales Bay and work to reintroduce Common Murre populations to the outer coasts of the sanctuary. Development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) adds to sanctuary research endeavors. Assessments of pollutants in seabirds and Stellar sea lions and Ashy Storm- petrel population studies have been carried out. Education Activities Each year the Sanctuary Sea Camp holds a week-long summer camp for children. During the school year the sanctuary developed curriculum and teacher training to further marine protections. Ongoing community outreach involve seminars, presentations, and publications of marine programs. Location Along the coast of California north and west of San Francisco Protected Area 1,255-square miles Designation January 1981 Address Fort Mason Building # 201 San Francisco, CA 94123 Communication Tel: (415) 561-6622 Fax: (415) 561-6616 E-mail: gfnms @ocean.nos. noaa.gov Web Page: www.nos. noaa.gov/nmsp/ gfnms/welcome. html Qulf OJ Ibe ^Tamllones, California 3i awanan islands yiumpback c 10bale NMS From Designation to Action Governor Benjamin Cayetano's approval of including state waters in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary in June 1997 ensures protection of one of the worlds most important humpback whale habitats while recognizing the needs and concerns of Hawaii's people. Acting as a catalyst for stewardship, the sanctuary helps state and federal agencies and local residents work together to protect whales. In becoming part of the national marine sanctuary system, Hawaii joins with the larger international community of marine protected areas. Throughout the sanctuary designation process, NOAA listened to the voices of residents. The management plan provides for ongoing citizen input and state sovereignty over Hawaiian waters without adding new permits or user fees. The designation provides the basis for the sanctuary to work in partner- ships with the National Marine Fisheries and the state of Hawaii in preserving this important breeding and calving area of the North Pacific population of humpback whales for the benefit, of present and future generations. A Sanctuary Built on Partnerships Throughout the sanctuary designation process, new partner- ships have been sought with the Hawaii Sanctuary Advisory Council, state of Hawaii, local business, and environmental groups. The 25-member Hawaii Sanctuary Advisory Council helped enormously in the formation of the final management plan for the sanctuary. A particularly important project for the sanctuary was the establishment of a volunteer water quality monitoring program on Maui, created in 36 Hawaiian S'slanJs conjunction with the state Department of Health. I his program, known as the Na Pali Ke K,u Volunteer Coastal Monitoring project, looks at whether nutrients from discharges on land are responsible for the algae blooms that lead ti i seaweed ae\ wmiil.it ions on beaches. Ensuring good water quality is a first Step in protecting the environment of the humpback whale and other life in Hawaii's coastal waters, and it remains a top priority of the new sanctuary. In conjunction with the Hawaii Sea Grant Program, the sanctuary created an internship program that provides marine biology students of Native Hawaiian ancestry with opportunities to develop various skills and experiences. Interns have worked as a marine naturalist, developed a comprehensive marine management plan tor the waters around Kaho'olawe, and documented the importance of the humpback whale to Native Hawaiian culture. international Several South American countries including Peru, Colombia, and Argentina are in discussions with the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary on how sanctuaries are created and maintained. In April, manager Allen Tom interrupted his vacation in Peru to meet with students at the Collegio Roosevelt in Lima. The group discussed marine resources and steps the country could take to create a marine sanctuary in Peru for its seals and other marine creatures. Since both Japan and the U.S. share the same humpback whale population, researchers in Tokyo and sanctuary staff are looking at ways that the two countries can learn more about whale distribution and movement within the entire North Pacific region. ^amaiian S'slanc humpback ^IVhnlc 37 ^ Interpretive Enforcement Beginning in 1997, a National Marine Fisheries Service enforcement officer has been stationed at the Maui sanctuary- office during the whalewatch season. The officer works with sanctuary staff to promote the interpretive enforcement of the humpback whale approach regulations. To achieve this goal, the sanctuary sponsors annual community workshops to educate citizens about these regulations and hosts a series of captain's training workshops on Maui, Kaua'i, Hawaii, Lana'i, Moloka'i and O'ahu. A new handbook on the federal regulations which protect marine mammals and sea turtles is available to the public. Future projects include new educational materials, including video and species identification cards. The Hawaiian Islands Sanctuary is committed to local stewardship of the marine environment and remains a conduit in which the community can get involved and make a difference. In 1997 over 150 citizens logged over 2,300 volunteer hours at inity events, in office renovation, and in monitoring water quality. One major volunteer accomplishment was the transformation of the Maui sanctuary office from an "off limits" abandoned ionosphere station to a public visitor center. The building and grounds now serve as a center where the sanctuary offers material on humpback whales and the marine environment. Sanctuary volunteers organized a nonprofit group AOAO NA LOKO I'A o MAUI (Association for the fishponds of Maui) to help renovate a neighboring native Hawaiian fishpond in Kihei, Maui and establish a program Hawaiian islands humpback c \Dbale, Hawaii 38 to interpret this fish pond's past and present role in native Hawaiian society. 9iabitats Humpback whale breeding, calving, & nursing grounds Coral reefs Sandv beaches c Xeu (5pedes Humpback whale Spinner dolphin Hawaiian monk seal False killer whale Green sea turtle Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary lies within the shallow, warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands and constitutes one of the world's most important humpback whale habitats. Scientists estimate that two-thirds of the entire North Pacific humpback whale population migrate to Hawaiian waters each winter to engage in breeding, calving, and nursing activities. The majority of humpback whales are found within 100 fathom (600 feet depth) of all the main islands. The continued protection of humpback whales and their habitat is crucial to the long-term recovery of this endangered species. Research Activities Hawaiian Islands Humpback whales and their habitats is the primary focus of the sanctuary. Whale population and behavior studies and a volunteer water quality monitoring project on Maui all work to preserve the marine mammals. Sanctuary staff are joined by sanctuary-supported graduate students in whale research. Education Activities Educational activities make up an essential part of the sanctuary operations. Classroom and shipboard presentations, educational displays, kiosks, and videos all generate community interest in marine sanctuaries. A sanctuary newsletter, brochures, pamphlets, and poster contest are other ways citizens participate in sanctuary activities. Location Within the 100- fathom isobath in the four-island area of Maui; Penguin Bank, and off the north shore of Kauai, the north and south shores of Oahu, and Kohola coastline off the Big Island. Protected Area 1 ,370-square miles Designation November 1992 Approved June 1997 Address 726 South Kihei Road Kihei, HI 96753 Communication Tel: (808) 879-2818 Fax: (808) 874-3815 E-mail: hihwnms'ci ocean.nos.noaa.gov Web page: www.t- link.net/-whale/ ^Hawaiian islands viumpback c U)baIe. Hawaii 39 NMS Monitor Preservation Plan Explored In response to reports that the Monitor's deterioration had accelerated over the past five years, the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary completed a draft preservation plan entitled Charting a New Course for the Monitor. The comprehensive preservation plan looks at long range options for management, stabilization, preser- vation, recovery, and conservation, t includes additional plans for the exhibition of materials and artifacts from the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. In March 1862, the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor survived a four-hour assault by the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads, Virginia. A few months later it succumbed to a severe storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Now the Monitor laces a new crisis. Photographic evidence clearly shows a marked increase in the rate of deterioration of the vessel's hull over the past five years, apparently the result of both natural and human causes. In 1993, after extensive archival and on-site research, NOAA initiated a revised planning effort to further define the extent of the problem and to identify viable options for preservation. All evidence suggests that collapse of the hull could occur at any time and that the result would be the loss of much of the ships structure and historic contents. The draft preservation plan recommends that the Atonitor be preserved through a combination of stabilization and selective recover)' options. Since NOAA estimates the combined costs of stabilization, recovery and conservation to be in excess of $20 million, possibly the greatest challenge will be to create a partnership of interested organizations to generate the required funds. 1 lie next step in planning will include detailed engineering and conservation plans as well as a funding plan. Phase One of on-site investigation identified in the plan, "Pre-shoring Survey, Mapping, and Recovery," will be initiated during a four— week expedition to the sites scheduled for late May and June 1998. This expedition will generate information needed to formulate plans for shoring the wreck and recovering major components that may include the turret, engines, propeller, and other large artifacts. Expedition divers will map the wreck and recover small, loose artifacts. One of the major tasks will be clearing the debris field under the Monitors stern where deck plates and structural material have collapsed in preparation for shoring the propeller shaft. Divers will survey the area prior to removing any material to locate, map, and recover small international mm^m mgm^ J3inks The staff of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary share information with researchers in Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway about monitor-type vessels unique to those countries as well as about recent research developments in the Monitor Sanctuary. Sweden is fortunate to have a monitor hull — the Solve — that has been converted to carry fossil fuels. When the Solve was converted, the turret was placed in storage and can be remounted on the hull provided sufficient funding is obtained to restore the ship. Preservation groups in Sweden are especially interested in how plans for recovering major portions of the Monitor progress, as they are seeking a successful, large-scale project upon which to model restoration of the Solve. *W-r 41 artifacts. The structural material will then be removed to an area northwest of the wreck that has also been surveyed for small artifacts. Divers will recover small, loose artifacts that may be lost or damaged, and conservation will be carried out at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA, the principal museum for the Monitor Sanctuary. Following conservation, the museum will exhibit the artifacts and make them available to other institutions for exhibition and interpretation. The expedition will be carried out by a variety of archaeologists, engineers, conservators, and technical divers provided by NOAA, the US Navy, the National Undersea Research Center— University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the Cambrian Foundation, and the Mariners' Museum. Development of "Chartering a New Course for the Monitor" required a draft engineering and salvage plan for which no funds were allocated. Oceaneering Technologies, a division of Oceaneering International, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, developed the draft plan at no cost to NOAA at the request of the Office of the Director of - Oceaneering, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving and NOAA. The objective of the Oceaneering proposal was to provide concept of operation for the emergency recovery, stabilization, and preservation of the Monitor. // the recommended option of selective recovery is carried out, a detailed recovery plan will participating agencies. ^lonihr, North Carolina 49 habitats Pelagic, open ocean Artificial reef c3pedes Amberjack Black sea bass Red barbier Scad Corals Sea anemones Dolphin Sand tiger shark Sea urchins Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was designated the nation's first national marine sanctuary on January 30, 1975. The site was the wreck of the USS Monitor, a Civil War vessel that lies in 230 feet of water, off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The Monitor was the prototype for a class of U.S. Civil War ironclad, turreted warships that significantly altered both naval technology and marine architecture in the 19th century. Designed by the Swedish engineer John Ericsson, the vessel contained all of the emerging innovations that revolutionized warfare at sea. The Monitor was constructed in a mere 110 days. Research Activities In recent years NOAA has documented a dramatic increase in the rate of deterioration of the Monitor. Research activities will continue as NOAA seeks solutions to the current crisis. Possible solutions include stabilization of the hull and recovery of selected components of the Monitor, including the engines and turret. Intensive historical research into the construction of these components has been carried out, and NOAA has developed a draft preservation plan entitled Charting a New Course for the Monitor that identifies options for prolonging the life of the vessel. Sanctuary staff continues to provide support to private researchers through the Monitor Collection, which includes historical information as well as visual documentation of the wreck. Education Activities Because of the Monitor's remote location, the majority of the American public cannot visit the site. An active education program includes posters, brochures, a paper model, an activities report, and public presentations designed to bring the Monitor to the public. Location 16 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina Protected Area 1-square mile Designation January 1975 Address Mariners ' Museum 100 Museum Drive Newport News, VA 23606 Communication Tel: (757) 599-3122 Fax: (757) 591-7353 E-mail: mnms(Q ocean.nos.noaa.gov Web Page: www.cnu.edu/ community/monitor/ Monitor, North Carolina 4 i < ^Monlemu •4* d ;<-•' Oft /*( ^ NMS Expanding Protection In 1997 an anonymous donation to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and a coop- erative enforcement agreement among NOAA and several federal and state agencies improved the sanctuary's ability to monitor its waters and protect its many resources. The donated funds purchased patrol boats and funded state peace officers to serve as sanctuary enforcement officers. The deputized state peace officers from the California Department of Fish and Game and the California Department of Parks and Recreation will enforce federal laws and work in tandem with federal enforcement agents within the sanctuary. Additionally, a ranger at Limekiln State Park plans to conduct sanctuary enforcement and interpretive programs along the remote Big Sur coast. Finally, the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary has agreed to contribute to enforcement efforts by providing cooperative aerial surveillance and monitoring. Marine Refugia Resource managers increasingly are considering the use of no-harvest reserves, whether they are permanent or in a rotation cycle, as a resource management tool. However, little information is available on where to locate these areas, how large they should be, and for what species they are most effective. To address these questions, scientists recently documented detailed habitat maps and current patterns at the Big Creek Ecological Reserve. Under the leadership of Dr. Mary Yoklavich of the fisheries 44 service, the NOAAship McArthur, and coordination provided by the Monterey Bay Sanctuary, this project has become a model for interdisciplinary (fish biologists to satellite oceanographers), multi-agency (12), and protected area studies. Building an Ocean Ethic The Center For Marine Conservations BAY NET program, supported by the sanctuary through education and training programs, is also known as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Network. BAY NET's primary goal is to enhance public awareness and understanding of the sanctuary by stationing trained docent educators at high traffic sites where there are historical, cultural, or natural resources. Trained volunteers serve as ambassadors and guides, educating the public international J3inks In the past year the Monterey Bay Sanctuary has shared information with resource managers, scientists, educators and government officials from Taiwan, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Japan, Jamaica, and Colombia. Scientists from the National Chung- Hsing University visited the sanctuary in 1997. The government of Taiwan is interested in developing marine protected areas, and they came to study how the sanctuary operates. Based on the exchange of information, Dr. Pan-wen Hsueh, a member of the delegation, offered to host Monterey Bay Sanctuary staff while participating in a mini-series of public lectures on marine sanctuaries. The sanctuary is encouraged by the growing international links between countries that promote sound manage- ment of marine resources worldwide. K 4 II v *< 'MontemiA^nii ^ about the sanctuary's resources and promoting the aesthetic wonders of this remarkable area. BAY NET guides also serve as additional sets of "eyes and ears" to help monitor natural and human activities within the sanctuary. To date approximately 160 BAY NET volunteers interpret infor- mation for visitors along the shores of Monterey Pacific Grove and San Simeon (at the new elephant seal colony near Hearst Castle). Since the programs debut in December 1995, BAY NET volunteers have aided over 40,000 visitors to the area. BAY NET's goal is to build a cooperative sanctuary-wide network of organizations and individuals committed to creating a more aware, enthusiastic, and marine conserva- tion minded public. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories faculty, staff and graduate students have been excellent partners in Monterey Bay Sanctuary programs, receiving the Institution Award for their efforts at the 1997 Sanctuary Currents ymposium. They have participated in many activities that benefit the Monterey Bay Sanctuary — writing an on-line sanctuary site characterization, chairing the i Research Activities Panel, and contributing to an extensive written review of sanctuary fisheries. They have mapped labitats, provided office space and small boats for ary staff and obtained outside funding for beach and rocky shore monitoring. They have also advised the sanctuary on kelp harvesting issues and provided resource management data on the benthic impacts of trawl fisheries, tidal erosion, and El Nino effects. Monterey ^Qy, California 46 habitats Sandy beaches Rocky shores Kelp forests Submarine canyon Pelagic, open ocean Wetlands (Species Sea otter Gray whale Market squid Brown Pelican Rockfish Giant kelp Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is the nation's largest marine sanctuary, spanning over 5,300- square miles of coastal waters off central California. Within its boundaries, a rich array of habitats, from rugged rocky shores and lush kelp forests to one of the deepest underwater canyons on the west coast abound with life. These habitats attract an inviting marine world, from tiny plants to huge blue whales. With its great diversity of habitats and life, the sanctuary invites a national focus for marine research and education programs. Research Activities The sanctuary develops regional research priorities with 20 local marine science institutions and encourages research through numerous avenues, including funding specific projects. Research activities include monitoring coastal ecosystem change, evaluating the scientific component of resource management issues and disseminating scientific information through publications and symposia. Education Activities Sanctuary publications are comprised of natural history books, research and education directories, newsletters, brochures, posters, and videos. Interpretive exhibits and displays are circulated around the area. Public lectures and events, teacher training and curricula for students, internships and volunteer programs complete the range of sanctuary activities. CAUI -OMNIA Monterey Ba' \NMS Pacific \~^_ Ocean Location Central California coast Protected Area 5,328-square miles Designation September 1992 Address 299 Foam Street, Suite D Monterey, CA 93940 Communication Tel: (408) 647-4201 Fax: (408) 647-4250 E-mail: mbnms ocean.nos.noaa.gov Web page: www. mbms.nos.noaa. gov/ Wonterey ^Qy, California -": Coast NMS Bringing Research to the Public Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary celebrated its third year of field operations and the 25th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary program with an open house aboard the NOAA research ship McArthur at the conclusion of the vessel's third annual sanctuary research cruise. The cruise supported an interdisciplinary team of wildlife biologists, geologists, fisheries scientists, oceanographers, and marine biologists who are compiling baseline data about sanctuary resources and contributing to basic research on coastal processes. Data accumulated in each of the three-years' cruises will be particularly valuable in assessing effects of this year's El Nino/ Southern Oscillation event. Surveying History With assistance from volunteer divers from Coastal Marine Archaeological Resources (CMAR), the sanctuary conducted subtidal and intertidal surveys on four shipwrecks. Sanctuary Archaeologist Bruce Terrell supervised the mapping of wreck fragments of the Austria, which grounded at Cape Alava in 1889. The Austria becomes accessible only during the lowest tides of the year.Olympic Coast Sanctuary staff and CMAR divers surveyed several wrecks near Cape Flattery, completing work that began with remote sensing surveys in 1995. This work helps the sanctuary satisfy its mandate under the National Historic Preservation Act to assess and inventory cultural resources within the marine sanctuary. Adding Value, Technically Speaking In 1997, the sanctuary distinguished itself by providing expert technical assistance in many important areas. Geographic QlymjW&oasl 4& Information System (GIS) technicians and managers from over a dozen coastal resource management agencies participated in a sanctuary-sponsored workshop on GIS. NOAA GIS experts from the Coastal Setvices Center assisted the sanctuary in their efforts to identify opportunities for collaboration. In partnership with National Marine Fisheries Service's National Marine Mammal Lab, the sanctuary held workshops for national and state parks rangers on marine mammal law and stranding protocols. Sanctuary Manager Todd Jacobs assisted Congressional staff in analyzing options for protecting marine resources in northern Puget Sound. Sanctuary staff also provided expert assistance to the Secretary of Transportation's study on marine transportation risks to the marine environment and helped train Olympic National Park and Washington State Parks naturalists on marine resource interpretation. 9ntemational J3inks North of Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, the waters of Canada and the rugged wilderness coast of Canada's Pacific Rim National Park meet. Threats to the sea know no boundaries and protecting a coastal ecosystem in two countries requires close cooperation between the nations and their respective agencies. In order to understand marine transportation and minimize its risks within the sanctuary, Olympic Coast staff teamed up with Canadian Coast Guard vessel traffic specialists at Tofino, British Columbia. At Tofino, ships traversing the Strait of Juan de Fuca are monitored on radar much like air traffic. That information is relayed to the sanctuary where it is plotted on a Geographic Information System (GIS). With the GIS, sanctuary staff can understand vessel traffic in the context of critical ecological resources and assess compliance to the International Maritime Organization's Area-To-Be- Avoided on the Olympic Coast. Common murres Nesting on Ledges f t Photo: ' Olympic Coast NMS Olympic Coast Sanctuary also promoted research with funding, in-kind support, or staff assistance to other federal and state agencies, tribal staff, and academic institutions. Research projects included monitoring sea otter populations, surveying subtidal and intertidal habitats, at-sea seabird surveys, and biotoxin sampling. Blending Research, Education and Management In an effective blending of research, education, and resource protection, the sanctuary developed campaigns to improve regulation compliance with aircraft overflights and Inter- national Maritime Organizations Areas To Be Avoided. Student interns in both aircraft and ATBA projects conducted extensive literature reviews and interviews with significant user groups: pilots, boat captains, and navigators. Partnerships built on these efforts ensure that well- informed user groups play contributing roles in protecting the sanctuary's resources. ^> & c3 How do animal populations endure when survival means literally "living on the edge, " and predators are always nearby? For Dr. Julia Parrish, a University of Washington seabird researcher, the answers are found on i Tatoosh Island, in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Dr. Parrish studies Common murres, a seabird generally abundant on the west coast but very vulnerable to oil spills. In Washington state, nesting colonies of murres have declined in the last ten years. Murres lay ■ only one egg, usually on a bare rock ledge just above crashing waves. Murres are regularly taken by bald eagles, often bold enough to enter a colony and seize them. "These birds have the highest nesting density of any seabird, and they pick the worst places to nest, " she said. "Its a wonder any of them survive." For Dr. Parrish, murres and other seabirds are crucial indicators of highly dynamic conditions in ocea "These birds do a lot of 'sampling' for us, the health of their population tells us whether or not the ocean is healthy." Dr. Parrish serves on Olympic Coast Sanctuary Advisory Council and is currently helping develop a volunteer seabir * monitoring program with the Sanctuary. h. Olympic CoQSf, Washington 50 9iabttah Rocky & sandy intertidal Kelp forests Seastacks &C islands Pelagic, open ocean Submarine canyons 9fc (Species Tufted Puffin Bald Eagle Northern sea otter California gray whale Humpback whale Pacific salmon Common murre Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary spans 3,310-square miles of marine waters off the rugged Olympic Peninsula coastline. The sanctuary extends about 35 miles seaward, covering much of the continental shelf and several major submarine canyons. The sanctuary protects a productive upwelling zone — home to rich marine mammal and seabird faunas, diverse populations of kelp and intertidal algae, and thriving invertebrate communities. The sanctuary is also rich in cultural resources, with over 150 documented historical shipwrecks and the vibrant contemporary cultures of Makah, Quinault, Hoh, and Quileute Native American tribes. Research Activities The sanctuary conducts an active program of physical oceanographic, geologic, marine archaeological, and biological research. Sanctuary partnerships join federal, tribal, and state agencies, as well as universities and private research organizations in coordinated marine research. Education Activities The sanctuary teams with the National Park Service and Washington State Parks to serve visitors with on-site interpretive programs. The sanctuary also assists the Makah, Quileute, Hoh, and Quinault tribes in developing nature-based tourism opportunities for economic development in reservation communities. The sanctuary helps local school districts develop marine science programs based on field investigations and intertidal monitoring. Publications, a website, and other products promote sanctuary goals. folympld f Vcoasl N.MN\ ^\ \ WASHINGTON pacific] Ocean \ \r Location From Cape Flattery to the mouth of the Copalis River, on Washington s outer coast Protected Area 3,310-square miles Designation July 1994 Address 738 West First Street Port Angeles, WA 98362 Communication Tel: (360) 457-6622 Fax: (360) 457-8496 E-mail:ocnms(a ocean.nos.noaa.gov Web Page: www.nos.noaa. gov/nmsp/nms olympiccoast .html Olympic Coast Washington 31 Gerry E. Studds tellwagen an k NMS Traveling Photo Exhibit In late 1996 the sanctuary created a photo exhibit called "Creatures of the Bank: An exploration into the biodiversity or the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary." The exhibition opened on Capitol Hill in honor of retiring Congressman Gerry Studds, for whom the sanctuary was renamed, and provides both general and technical information in an informal setting through the use of exciting underwater and surface photographs. Throughout 1997, the photo display was one of the sanctuary's most well-received public outreach efforts. Now consisting of two complete shows (and one partial version), the exhibit was made possible by the generous donation of images from numerous commercial and amateur photographers. With images ranging from microscopic diatoms to 75-foot finback whales, the exhibition illustrates the wealth of marine resources and the complexity of the food web at Stellwagen Bank. The exhibit changes as new photographers add their images to the collection, and the sanctuary is exploring possibilities for future exhibitions as well as the development of a corporate sponsorship arrangement. The sanctuary thanks the many talented photographers who contributed to the exhibit: Peter Auster, NURP-UConn; Jonathan Bird, Oceanic Research Group; Norman Despres; Jeff Hannigan; Dr. Richard Harbison, WHOI; Dr. Paul Hargraves, URI; Andrew Martinez; Kevin McCarthy; Bob Michelson, Photography by Michelson; David and Susan Millhouser; and Dr. Jon Witman, Brown University. Right Whale Conservation and Education Northern right whales are the most endangered of the world s great whales, and manv of the North (3tc!IwGpen ^Qi 52 Atlantic population spend sonic time in the sanctuary and nearby C ape Cod Bav. 1 heir proximity as well as the critical status ot the species led the sanctuary to take a leadership role in conservation and education programs. Through the Northeast Implementation learn, the sanctuary helped coordinate a regional effort to address ship strikes, the leading cause ot human induced mortalities to the whale. This multiraceted program consists of several actions including lending support to the development and implementation of an Early Warning System for the Northeast. It also works with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the New England Aquarium, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and others to ensure that charts and U.S. Coast Pilot (documents available to mariners) provide better information on the right whale-ship strike problem. The sanctuary actively participates in the Atlantic Large <5tellmngcn ^ank international J3inks The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, located at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay, serves as a regional resource for the entire Gulf of Maine, which encompasses Georges Bank to the southeast and the Bay of Fundy to the north. The gulf touches upon the shores of three states as well as two Canadian provinces. As caretakers for one of the largest Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the Gulf of Maine, the sanctuary staff has taken a lead role within the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment in efforts to establish an integrated network of MPAs around the gulf. This expertise has been sought by Canadian counterparts in environ- mental agencies who are charged with developing an MPA program as provided in the Canadian Oceans Act of 1997. The sanctuary's cooperation with Canada this past year has also extended into co-sponsorship of a special workshop on impacts of fishing gear on the seafloor at the annual meeting of Conservation Biology, held in Victoria, British Columbia. 53 Whale Take Reduction Team to address the issue of fishing gear entanglement on a coast-wide scale. High-Resolution Mapping Project In 1997 the field mapping phase of a multi-year high resolution mapping project was successfully concluded. The sanctuary now has over 2000-square nautical miles of ocean bottom mapped in detail, unparalleled anywhere in the ocean realm, thanks to our partnership with the US Geological Survey. In addition to traditional topographic maps, the scientists are working on the release of the data in digital form to allow users to achieve the highest resolutions. This information is helping biologists characterize fish assemblages in the sanctuary. Other researchers are now using the data for a variety of \similar scientific applications that look at productivity within the benthic community. Over the past four years, Page Valentine of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has worked with the sanctuary to undertake a high resolution mapping project. With great personal resolves, he has been able to secure considerable funding from USGS to make the project happen and has been to sea on more cruises than he would like to he has taken countless grab samples and videos of the seabed. Page has devoted himself to providing the best maps that sanctuary technology can produce by worked '" with the Captain and crew of the Canadian Hydrographic Service's Frede~ d to collect the high-resolution bathymetric and side-scan sonar data that form the basis for the maps. He has filled his office with stacks and rolls of sanctuary maps. The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is fortunate to have such an extraordinary person to help ma' (5iellwagen Ibank, Massachusetts 54 project a reality. 9iabitats Sand & gravel bank Muddy basins Boulder fields Rocky ledges Open ocean (Species Northern right whale Humpback whale Atlantic White-sided dolphin Wilson's Storm Petrel Northern Gannet Atlantic Bluefin tuna Atlantic cod Winter flounder Sea scallop Northern lobster Sand lance Gerry E Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary sits at the month ol Massachusetts Bay between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. The 824-square mile sanctuary encompasses mud- filled basins, rock ledges and boulder fields and the gravel and coarse sand bank which was formed by the retreat of glaciers from the last Ice Age. The bank's position at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay forces an upwelling of nutrient-rich water from the Gulf of Maine — leading to high productivity and a multilayered food web with species ranging from single-celled phytoplankton to the great whales. Research Activities Sanctuary projects include a side-scan sonar survey, a geological characterization with the US Geological Survey, and a fishery habitat research program. The Aquanaut Program of the National Undersea Research Center at University of Connecticut uses the sanctuary as a site for student research on benthic communities and acoustics. Education Activities The sanctuary serves as a whale migration resource center for journey North, an Internet-based education program and offers a comprehensive Stellwagen Bank Information Center with the U.S. Geological Survey at vineyard.er.usgs.gov. Sanctuary educational activities include an annual week-long MimiFest for grades 4-8, curriculum design, and professional development workshops. The sanctuary also maintains interpretive kiosks, a traveling photo exhibit, sanctuary videos, and a new CD-ROM on the food web. Location 25 miles east of Boston, 3 miles southeast of Cape Ann, and 3 miles north of Provincetown Protected Area 842-square miles Designation November 1992 Address 14 Union Street Plymouth, MA 02360 Communication Tel: (508) 747-1691 Fax: (508) 747-1949 E-mail: sbnms (aocean.nos. noaa.gov Web page: vineyard.er. usgs.gov/ <5lellmagQn l^ank, Massachusetts ^ ■ ■ ■ . c5ea (5marf Famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau once reminded the world that "Our future depends upon the care and the love with which we manage our only water supply — the oceans. " This message — that we all must be more mindful of this precious natural resource — has taken root in the NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries program, whose vision, mission and goals foster an ocean ethic of care and action. This mission to "ensure healthy marine and coastal ecosystems, including natural and cultural resources, by providing innovative management of a network of nationally significant areas through protection, conservation, restoration, and compatible use" benefits not only this generation, but generations to come. It recognizes that sanctuaries belong to all of us and that with this gift comes with a responsibility that we can meet. Saving the oceans take many hands, and the sanctuary program continues to widen its circle of partnerships. We've found good friends and fellow marine advocates in federal and state agencies, nonprofit associations, and foundations and received welcome assistance from a great number of individuals from schoolchildren to senior citizens. Our "Sea Smart" campaign, in the concluding pages, introduces only a few of the many groups who share our ocean ethic and find ways to promote ocean stewardship. We salute the industries and nonprofit organizations for taking leading roles in promoting clean marine environments: the Surf rider Foundation, Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, National Science Teachers Association, Center for Marine Conservation, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The past year provided the National Marine Sanctuaries Program with many opportunities to promote a greater understanding of the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. The stories from the 12 national marine sanctuaries attest to this. In learning the language of the ocean, the sanctuaries also listened to the voices of the people whose lives are tied to our ocean resources, from those who depend on them for their livelihoods to those who come to visit and enjoy. The year ahead provides an even greater opportunity for the National Marine Sanctuaries program to share what we have learned and to search for more discoveries that bring us closer to Aldo Leopold's harmony between humankind and the oceans we share. We invite you to join us. Conclusion ir As an Environmentally Responsible Diver... I dive within the limits of my ability and training. I am careful about what I touch underwater. I do not break plants or coral or collect "souvenirs." I respect environmental laws and game limits. I collect and dispose of trash I find while diving. I let dive buddies, resorts, and dive operators know how I feel about environmental responsibility. I never dive in a manner that would hurt the environment. I use mooring buoys whenever available or anchor in areas free of live bottoms. I am considerate of ocean wildlife. National Marine Sanctuaries - Text Courtesy of: Divers have the wonderful privilege of visiting a world that our landlocked brothers and sisters will never see first hand. To explore the beautiful, and often mysterious, underwater world is like no other experience on earth. But with this privilege comes the responsibility to keep this unique environment as nature made it. ..undamaged by human activity. Responsible divers are environmentally conscious on every dive. This means they are careful about what they touch, and they do not break plants or coral to collect "souvenirs." A responsible diver respects the game laws pertaining to size and bag limits and sets a good example of environmental responsibility by collecting and properly disposing of trash found during a dive. The aquatic world is something all divers share, and being a responsible diver means you let your dive buddies, resort, and dive operators know how you feel about the environmental responsibility. Remember, your actions speak louder than words. Text Courtesy of: National Marine Sanctuaries ■- National Marinl- Sanctuaries - All of us can learn some of the ways to help protect fish habitat in our travels on board and on shore. Each person's small efforts add up to a big difference for fish habitat. When underway... • Keep trash from blowing overboard; bring it back to port for proper disposal. •Avoid boating in shallow waters, especially those with submerged vegetation. • Follow "no wake" postings, and keep wakes down in shallow or nearshore areas to prevent erosion and protect wildlife. • Never discharge treated or untreated sewage; wait to use pump out facilities. • Report oil spills or debris violations to the proper authorities. At the dock... • Recycle used oil and filters, batteries and antifreeze. • Tell your friends and fellow fishermen about the importance of protecting fish habitat. • Minimize fish waste disposal in marina waters. • Encourage your marina to provide facilities for recycling and dry dock repair. •Whenever possible, do repairs and painting in dry dock; keep paints and paint chips away from the water. When sanding or scraping, use tarps to catch pollutants. On your boat... • Use oil absorbent materials in your bilge and for spill cleanup. • Refrain from using detergents and bilge cleaners; never pump them overboard. • Use the smallest amount of the least toxic products available when cleaning. • Be careful when fueling; catch any overflow with petroleum absorbent materials, and install an overflow alarm on your fuel tank. Text Courtesy of: J ,*JJft!» 3 : Anyone who's spent time on the water can appreciate the beauty and richness of our bays and oceans. As more people are being drawn to the water — by the year 20 I 0, more than 53% of the people in the U.S. are expected to live within 50 miles of the coast — threats to our waters will increase. Even improper boating related activities can contribute greatly to the degradation or loss of important coastal resources. Estuaries and near-shore waters are vital breeding grounds of important fish and shellfish. Unfortunately, these areas are also frequently exposed to pollution from vessel activities that can be prevented. Even when diluted, pollutants can have harmful impacts to fish and shellfish. For example: • Only one quart of engine oil spilled in one million quarts of seawater can kill half of the exposed crab larvae. •When vessels are fueled, up to 8 ounces of fuel can spill into the water. Although some of the gas and diesel fuel evaporate rapidly, many toxic compounds remain behind in the water column. • Discharged untreated sewage and bacterial contamination severely impacts the ability to harvest shellfish such as clams and oysters. • Sanding toxic hull paint over the water, littering, and emptying cleaners, paints or solvents into drains or directly into the water also adds pollutants to our waters. Multiply these relatively small spills by the number of boats in a busy marina and the number of boating days per year and it contributes to water quality problems. Pollutants reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, impair the functioning of fish gills, reduce the ability of seabirds to stay warm and dry, and can be unhealthy to both wildlife and humans. Whether fishing or boating for sport or work, fishermen and boaters are especially in tune with the benefits of clean and bountiful marine waters and can be first in protecting them. Text Courtesy of: National Marine Sanctuaries ,- National Marine Sanctuaries - The Wildlife Watcher's Code Keep your distance — use binoculars, spotting scopes and zoom lenses to get close to wildlife. Stay on trails to protect habitat, and be careful not to damage or trample plant life. Don't use calls, whistles or other artificial means to attract wildlife. Don't touch any animal even if it appears to be sick, injured or orphaned. Leave pets at home — they may startle, chase and even kill wildlife. Please don't feed wildlife! Move away slowly and immediately if an animal stops feeding and raises its head sharply, appears nervous or aggressive, changes its direction of travel, exhibits a broken wing display or circles repeatedly. Respect the rights of other wildlife viewers; move slowly and quietly. Respect the rights of landowners — get permission before entering private property. Share the joy of wildlife viewing with others, especially children, and teach them about the importance of not disturbing animals. Text Courtesy of: *3>5-$A Observing wildlife "in the wild" is one of life's great pleasures, but as with most thrilling pursuits there are basics to learn and rules to follow. If you don't learn the basics, such as how to use binoculars, what to look for where and when, you're not likely to see much. If you don't follow the rules — guidelines on how to behave so as not to disrupt wildlife, you can cause serious problems for the very wildlife you're interested in viewing. Wildlife biologists have observed many incidences of wildlife harmed or disturbed by people, often unintentionally: harbor seal pups and seabird chicks abandoned by their parents after frequent close approaches by boats to the offshore islands where they live; coral reefs irreparably damaged by the cumulative effects of grounded boats, dropped anchors, and inexperienced swimmers and divers touching or breaking off pieces; dolphins and manatees hit by inattentive boaters; colonies of beach-nesting shore birds decimated by uncontrolled pets; sea turtles, birds, dolphins and other animals injured or sickened by encountering or ingesting human food, fishing hooks, nets, garbage, and other human detritus. The goal and thrill of watching wildlife is to observe without disrupting. When you watch without causing a reaction, you are seeing what's truly wild. Learn the basics, follow the rules (The Wildlife Watcher's code opposite), and, with all due respect, immerse yourself into the world of nature. Text Courtesty of: /J% m National Marine Sanctuaries - National Marine Sanctuaries « When students in Topeka, Kansas ask why they should know about oceans they may never see, or wonder how an ocean half a world away may affect them, teachers need a ready answer that jump- starts the learning process. 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by saltwater. More than half of the population of the United States lives and works within 100 kilometers of an ocean or Great Lake. Oceans serve as crucial global highways, transporting cargo to and from world markets The ocean floor contains some of the world's most important mineral, gas, and oil deposits. One-fifth of the animal protein consumed by the world's population comes from the sea. Fish and other marine organisms hold the key to many life saving drugs and vital medical treatments. Earth's weather, from the expected to the exceptional, is generated by the ocean. El Nino, a climate event produced by changes in ocean temperature, has influenced the price of fruits, vegetables, and grains all over the world. Text Courtesy of: KIA National Science Teacfiers Assodattor To understand weather, to heat our homes, to eat, and to discover new cures, we must continue to protect and study Earth's oceans. Oceans can be tools for teaching math, chemistry, biology, physics, and even history, business, and economics. As students see how the ocean plays a role in their everyday life, they will become stewards of this finite resource, and discoverers of ways to become more sustainable users. The following list of teacher's conventions and resources can turn your classroom into a research vessel with links to teacher conventions, oceanic data, curricula, exercises, laboratories, and ongoing sea explorations. NASA SeaWIFS Project: Ocean Color from Space (301) 286-9428 http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEAWIFS.html Smithsonian Ocean Planet Exhibition (301) 286-9428 http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/ocean_planet.html The JASON Project Expedition IX: Oceans of Earth and Beyond (78 1 ) 487-9995 www.jasonproject.org Jet Propulsion Laboratory:Physical Oceanography Data(8l8) 354-9890 http://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov The Marine Science Institute Workshop (650) 364-2760 www.sfbaymsi.org/teach.htm Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences - Gaia Project (207) 633-9600 www.bigelow.org Introduction to Atmospheric and Oceanographic Data (303) 497- 1 36 1 www.cgd.ucar.edu:80/cas/tn404 International Oceanographic Foundation (305) 36 1 -4888 www.rsmas.miami.edu/iof National Oceanographic Data Center (30 1 ) 7 1 3-3277 www.nodc.noaa.gov NSTA Water Education Publications (800) 722-6782 www.nsta.org/pubs/ / 998 International Year of the Ocean (888)4YOT098 www.yoto.com For links to additional resources, visit www.seaweb.org Text Courtesy of: fe.4 a ¥*Jfc N ' National Science Teachers Association National Marine Sanctuaries - Never swim or surf until 72 hours after a heavy rain. In urban areas and agricultural areas, the runoff may contain dangerous pollution. Always wear sun screen. Walk, skateboard, ride a bike or car pool to the beach. Automobile emissions cause pollution. When walking to and from the water, try to pick up at least one piece of trash and drop it in a trash can. Every little bit helps, plus you set a good example for others who may be watching. Keep a coffee mug in your car, so when you stop to get coffee on the way to the beach, you use your own mug instead of using styrofoam containers — it saves resources and prevents litter. The beach is not a big ashtray — hold onto your cigarette butts until you can dispose of them properly. Leave only footprints. Pack out what you pack in. Obey the lifeguard. Lifeguards not only protect your safety but the safety of the animals and marine life that lives at the beach. Don't drive on the beach. The beach is an important ecosystem and not a parking lot or race track. National Marine Sanctuaries - Get involved! Join an ocean conservation volunteer group. You can make a difference. Text Courtesy of: Sutfrider Foundation Use it — don't abuse it. Everyone who uses the coasts and oceans has the responsibility to play smart. Not only do humans depend on these areas, but so do fish, whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, birds and creatures as small as seastars and plankton. Since we use the beaches, we have a responsibility to keep them clean and healthy. Your individual actions can make a difference. Get into it! Text Courtesty of: National Marine Sanctuaries „ Surfridcr Foundation. s **c5«» National Marine Sanctuaries „ To become a good steward of our marine planet, phase: Conserve Water. Conserving the amount of water you use at home prevents coastal water pollution. Maintain Septic Systems. Monitor your tank yearly. Have a reputable contractor remove sludge every three to five years to prevent solids from escaping the absorption system and reaching our coasts. Curb Your Pets. Pick-up and properly dispose your pet wastes. This reduces dangerous fecal coliform bacteria in polluted stormwater runoff. Practice Proper Lawn and Home Care. Use natural fertilizers and compost on your garden and minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides. Keep trees if possible and use porous paving materials or gravel that allows water to soak into the ground. Practice Proper Boating-Waste Disposal. Discharged boating wastes discharged can be a significant cause of high fecal coliform concentrations. Dispose of your boat sewage in onshore sanitary and pumpout facilities. Don't dump sewage or trash overboard. Learn About the Water Quality at Local Beaches. Contact local health officials and ask them about the sources of pollution affecting beaches, if they regularly monitor water quality and the results of any monitoring. Participate in a local pollution cleanup effort. Text Courtesy of: <* CENTER FOR MARINE ( NSERVATION More than 30 years ago, in her celebrated book Silent Spring, Rachel Carson warned of the possibility of empty skies — skies devoid of bird calls and songs, of flashing wings and brightly turned feathers. Her disturbing vision roused the public and led to a nationwide ban on DDT. Today the public must be awakened to another looming environmental catastrophe: empty seas. Although our supermarkets' seafood sections may be brimming, our oceans are not. The truth of what humankind is doing to our waters is less easy to confront: we are depleting entire fisheries; poisoning the world's waters beyond their capacity to heal themselves, and using up — in many cases, wasting — our extraordinary inheritance of marine life and our waters. As part of the problem, we are all part of the solution. The maintenance of healthy seas and abundant marine life requires all our help. Together we can ensure the future of marine species and the human species by living smart. Text Courtesy of: © CENTER FOR MARINE CONSERVATION ' v «yc5<^ National Marine Sanctuaries ,- (Sites Olympic Coast west Straits Pa C ifi C Ocean Cordell Bank < Gulf of the Farallones Monterey Bay" Channel Islands' Flower Garden Banks Florida Keys Key Largo Looe Key National Marine Sanctuarie keeping in Houcb National ^Marine (Sanctuaries 1305 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301)713-3125 Channel islands 9£MS 113 Harbor Way Santa Barbara, CA 93109 (805)966-7107 Cordell c Bank9m6 Fort Mason, Building #201 San Francisco, CA 94123 (415) 561-6622 (Fagatele ^ay 9£Mc5 P.O. Box 4318 Pago Pago, AS 96799 011-684-633-7354 (Florida 9%J 9fM6 (Administration) P.O. Box 500368 Marathon, FL 33050 (305) 743-2437 ^orida 9(eys 9£Md (Lower Region) 216 Ann Street Key West, FL 33040 (305)292-0311 (Florida 9(eys 9fM6 (Upper Region) P.O. 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