National Marine Sanctuaries Documents

This page provide a series of scientific, educational, and technical publications related to NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program listed chronologically as received.

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Sanctuary Document Topics

Draft or Final Management Plans Issue Based Management Plans
Policy. Permitting or Regulations State of the Sanctuary Reports
Research and Monitoring Education and Outreach
Maritime and Cultural Resources General Reports
Coordinator Reports Sanctuary Field Site Publications

Draft or Final Management Plans

Draft Management plan/ Environmental Impact Statement Channel Islands (2006) leaving site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2006

Draft Management plan NWHI (2006) leaving site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2006

Management Plan/ Environmental Impact statement Gray's Reef (2006)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2006
Document Size: 5.2MB

Draft Revised Management Plan Florida keys (2005)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2005
Document Size: 2.5MB

National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Review Handbook (2003)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 868K
Click for Document Description
Description: This handbook provides participants (including the staffs and advisory councils of national marine sanctuaries), their partners, and other interested parties with an overview of how the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) will conduct management plan reviews. This handbook incorporates the experience and knowledge gained by the NMSP since management plan reviews began. Future editions will be prepared as necessary to reflect any additional lessons learned as reviews continue to reflect major changes in the NMSP.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan (2002)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 2.5MB
Click for Document Description
Description: This document is the revised management plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS), resulting from a recent five-year review of the sanctuary since the implementation of its final regulations in 1997. This plan was prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in cooperation with the State of Hawaii, and will serve as the primary management document of the sanctuary for the next five years.

Management Plan Hawaiian Island humpback Whale (2002) leaving site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2005

Tortugas Ecological Reserve Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Final Supplemental Management Plan (2000)
Author(s): Benjamin D. Haskell, V.R. Leeworthy/P.C. Wiley, T.M. Beuttler, M.R. Haflich, J. Delaney, B.L. Richards, and E. Franklin
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2000
Document Size: 4.5MB
Click for Document Description
Description: The National Ocean Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, working in cooperation with the State of Florida, the Gulf of Mexio Fishery Management Council, and the National Marine Fisheries Service, proposes to establish a 151 square nautical mile “no-take” ecological reserve to protect the critical coral reef ecosystem of the Tortugas, a remote area in the western portion of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS).

Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement Thunder Bay (1999) Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 1999
Document Size: 3.4MB

Management Plan Florida Keys (1996)
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Appendix L
Appendix M

Management plan Stellwagen Bank (1993) leaving site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 1993

Management plan/ Environmental Impact Statement Monterey Bay
(1992) leaving site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 1992

Management plan/ Environmental impact statement Cordell Bank (1989) Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 1989
Document Size: 8.8MB
Management plan/ Environmental Impact Statement Channel Islands (1983) leaving site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 1983

Issue Based Management Plans

Final Environmental Assessment for Analysis of Remediation Alternatives for the Pacific Crossing-1 North and East Submarine Fiber Optic Cables in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (2005)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: November 2005
Document Size: 2.9MB
Click for Document Description
Description: In November 1999, NOAA issued an authorization/special use permit to Pacific Crossing, Ltd. for installation by its contractor, Tyco Submarine Systems, Ltd., of two fiber optic cables through the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. NOAA has been considering amending the permit or issuing a new permit to address the condition of the cables. NOAA’s goal is to fully achieve the objectives of the terms and conditions of the permit, which would prevent chronic damage to resources, substantially reduce risks to resources and fishers, and restore Native Americans access to their treaty-reserved fishing grounds. The environmental assessment (EA) document evaluates various remedial alternatives to determine which option or combination of options would be most suitable to achieve this goal and defines NOAA’s preferred alternative (reinstallation). NOAA solicited public comments and recommendations on the draft EA in a public comment period that closed October 24, 2005. The final EA includes a summary of public comments and NOAA’s responses, as well as a Finding of No Significant Impact statement.

Florida Keys Seagrass Restoration Environmental Impact Statement (2004)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2004
Document Size: 2.8 MB
Click for Document Description
Description: The Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Seagrass Restoration in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary evaluates the short- and long-term environmental and socioeconomic effects related to seagrass restoration and prevention projects. The document does not focus on site-specific restorations, but instead examines potential impacts from future regional projects.

Environmental Assessment: M/V Wellwood Grounding Site Restoration (2002)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 124K
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Description: This environmental assessment has been prepared to systematically evaluate the short- and long-term environmental and socioeconomic effects related to the restoration of the grounding site of the motor vessel (M/V) Wellwood.

An Ecosystem Management Approach for the Santa Barbara Channel Islands
Author(s): Michael V. McGinnis/S.P. Hastings
Document Size: 64K
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Description: With the Channel Islands as a backdrop, this paper analyzes the role of science and values in the development of an ecosystem-based approach to marine systems. Even at the purely technical level, an ecosystem approach will require an integrated and adaptive approach that recognizes the social, cultural, economic, historical, ecological, and biogeographical character of particular marine systems.

The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan leaving site

Click for Document Description
Description: Specifies how the Council develops recommendations for management of the groundfish fishery.

Policy Permitting or Regulations

NOAA's Regulation of Fishing in National Marine Sanctuaries (2008)
Author(s): ONMS and NMFS
Posted: July 2008
Document Size: 117K

Policy Statement and Permitting Guidelines on Artificial Reefs (2005)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: September 2005
Document Size: 356K Click here (pdf, 64K) for the federal register notice announcing the availability of the final artificial reef policy and responding to comments on the interim-final policy.

Click for Document Description
Description: The NMSP’s final policy on permit applications for artificial reef development is available.  The policy clarifies how long-standing review criteria will be used in evaluating proposals to establish artificial reefs inside national marine sanctuaries.  The purpose of the document is to assist NMS managers reviewing applications to install artificial reefs and ultimately in determining if a particular artificial reef proposal should be allowed.  It is also intended to clarify the application review process to proponents of artificial reef projects.  This final policy and permitting guidelines is the result of a public notice and comment period that concluded in September 2003.

Final Report: Fair Market Value Analysis for a Fiber Optic Cable Permit in National Marine Sanctuaries
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program and NOAA Damage Assessment Center
Posted:2002
Document Size: 184K
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Description: The National Marine Sanctuaries Act allows the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) to issue special use permits (SUPs) for specific activities within a national marine sanctuary. If a SUP is issued, the NMSA also authorizes the NMSP to collect fees for the conduct of any activity under a special use permit. If a fee is assessed, all three of the following fees must be collected: 1) the costs incurred or expected to be incurred for issuing the permit; 2) fees for activities directly related to the conduct of the permitted activity (such as monitoring of the activity); and 3) an amount that represents the fair market value of the use of sanctuary resources.

Regulations for Recreational Harvest and Lobster Information for Monroe County, Florida
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted:2002
Document Size: 88K
Click for Document Description
Description: This document lists regulations for recreational harvest and lobster information for Monroe County, Florida (the Florida Keys).

State of the Sanctuary Reports

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2006/2007)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2007
Document Size: 8.4MB
Click for Document Description
Description: This is the 2006-2007 edition of the National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report.

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2005)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2005
Document Size: 3.4MB
Click for Document Description
Description: This is the 2005 edition of the National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report.

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2004/2005)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2005
Document Size: 2.8MB
Click for Document Description
Description: This is the 2004/2005 edition of the National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report.

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2003/2004)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2004
Document Size: 2MB
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Description: The 2003/2004 National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report covers the significant accomplishments over the past year and expectations established for this year. From landmark submerged cultural resource advances to setting new standards for marine education and community involvement, the program continues to raise the bar for resource protection and conservation and meet the needs of sanctuary communities.

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2003)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 1.4MB
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Description: The 2003 National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report covers the significant accomplishments over the past year and expectations established for this year. From landmark submerged cultural resource advances to setting new standards for marine education and community involvement, the program continues to raise the bar for resource protection and conservation and meet the needs of sanctuary communities.

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2002)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 1.6MB
Click for Document Description
Description: The National Marine Sanctuary Program serves as the trustee for a system of 13 underwater parks, encompassing 18,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington State to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Ocean Service has managed the national marine sanctuaries since passage of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. Protecting sanctuary resources requires a great deal of planning, management, and cooperation between federal, state, and local officials. The National Marine Sanctuary Program works cooperatively with its partners and the public to balance enjoyment and use with long-term conservation. Increasing public awareness of our marine heritage, scientific research, monitoring, exploration, educational programs, and outreach are just a few of the ways the National Marine Sanctuary Program fulfills its mission to the American people.

Individual Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Reports

State of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve report (2006)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: February 2006
Document Size: 2.6MB

Thunder Bay State of the Sanctuary Report (2006) leaving site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2006
Gray's Reef State of the Sanctuary Report (2006/2007)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2006
Document Size: 984K

Flower Garden Bank's State of the Sanctuary Report (2006/2007)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2006
Document Size: 1.4MB

Cordell Bank State of the Sanctuary Report (2002)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 19.1MB
Click for Document Description
Description: This document provides an overview of the current status of the sanctuary to use as a basis for revising the management plan. This document discusses management activities, accomplishments, issues and ecosystems of the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary since its designation in 1989.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale State of the Sanctuary Report (2002)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 796K
Click for Document Description
Description: This report provides an overview of activities, programs, and projects, as well as marine resources and management issues pertinent to the sanctuary’s development during the last five years. The information is intended to help people assess how the sanctuary has served them and their communities. It also charts the sanctuary’s future course of action.

Monterey Bay State of the Sanctuary Report (2002)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 750K
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Description: This report provides insight into the Montery Bay NMS' research and education programs. These programs provide training opportunities for marine science teachers and students, as well as public awareness campaigns targeting urban runoff. The research program broadens the knowledge of this area’s resources through its site characterization work and distributes this information through an annual "Ecosystem Observations" report.

Research and Monitoring

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Spatial Bibliography: A Science-Planning Tool (2007)
Author(s): Christine Taylor and David Moe Nelson
Posted: February 2008
Document Size: 4.7MB
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Description: The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Spatial Bibliography (NWHI-SB) is a science-planning tool that will help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and partners to plan for future research and project investments in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The main purpose of this tool is to provide text reference and/or spatial metadata on NWHI research using either spatial-area or keyword searches so that scientists may reduce duplicative research, prioritize their efforts, and identify obvious research partnerships in the NWHI region.

Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report (2007)
Posted: August 2007
Document Size: 6.7MB
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Description: This report provides a summary of resources in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, pressures on those resources, the current condition and trends, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report (2007)
Posted: April 2007
Document Size: 8.5MB
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Description: This report provides a summary of resources in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, pressures on those resources, the current condition and trends, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment.

Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Research Partnership: Quarterly Progress Reportts V-VI (2006-2007)
Posted: January 2007
Document Size: 3.5MB
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Description: The Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NOS, NOAA) on March 28, 2005, to assist the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve with scientific research required for the development of a science-based ecosystem management plan.

Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Research Partnership Quarterly Progress Reports II-III (2005-2006)
Posted: March 2006
Document Size: 1.3MB
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Description: The Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NOS, NOAA) on March 28, 2005, to assist the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve with scientific research required for the development of a science-based ecosystem management plan.

A Monitoring Framework for the NMSP (2004)
Posted: January 2005
Document Size: 1.6MB
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Description: This document describes System-Wide Monitoring, or SWiM, for the National Marine Sanctuary Program. This document will help guide a system-wide approach to monitoring at local, regional, and national levels. The concept for SWiM was developed over the last two years by a panel consisting of sanctuary program staff and outside experts. We drew from our own experiences and the work of other programs to develop consistent approaches for designing ecosystem-based and mission-oriented monitoring programs for marine sanctuaries, groups of sanctuaries, and/or specific issues or resources, and a flexible strategy for reporting on natural resource status and trends at multiple spatial scales (individual sanctuaries, networks of sites, and the sanctuary system).

Broad-Scale Non-indigenous Species Monitoring along the West Coast in National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves (2005)
Author(s): partneship between Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, National Estuarine Research Reserve System, National Marine Sanctuary Program, and Other institution (for taxonomists), see Appendix A
Posted: August 2005
Document Size: 4.7MB
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Description: This collaborative project, between the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) and the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), established a rigorous, large-scale monitoring and research program for invasive species in nine protected coastal areas along the US West Coast from San Diego, CA, to Kachemak Bay, AK.

Highlighted results found in the report include:
  • Non-indigenous species accounted for over a quarter of the diversity within five taxa (Bryozoa, Tunicata, Cirripedia, Hydrozoa, and Nudibranchia) along the west coast
  • Over half the tunicates were non-native
  • Two new west coast sightings and three range extensions
  • Number and percentage of non-indigenous species decreased with increasing latitude
  • Monterey Bay had the highest proportion of species that were non-indigenous (57%), but Tijuana River had the highest number of non-indigenous species
  • Non-indigenous species in marinas accounted for almost 80% of the non-indigenous species per site

US Geological Survey, NOAA/National Marine Sanctuary Program's Seabed Mapping Initiative: 2002-2003 Annual Report (2003)
Author(s): Brad Barr, Senior Policy Advisor and East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 4.2MB
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Description: In April of 2002, the US Geological Survey and the National Marine Sanctuary Program embarked on a partnership to develop guidance regarding how to efficiently develop seabed maps that will effectively support management, research, monitoring, education, outreach, and enforcement in the National Marine Sanctuaries, and then to map all Sanctuaries consistent with the guidance. The 2002-2003 Annual Report provides an update on the considerable progress made thus far in this partnership, including a summary of the findings of an international, interagency workshop sponsored by the partners and the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center at the University of New Hampshire in November 2002. The report also identifies proposed activities to be conducted FY 04.

Sanctuary Science: Evaluation of Status and Information Need (2002)
Author(s): Steve Gittings, Kimberly Benson, Paula Souik, and Mitchell Tartt
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 3.6MB
Click for Document Description
Description: This report details the process and results of a comprehensive assessment of the science activities in the program. The process used priority information needs identified in a 2001 workshop to evaluate how well the sanctuary management issues are being addressed by science activity and to provide direction for future science resources. Results are provided for each sanctuary and across the program. Needs are also examined for subsets of sanctuaries that share common resources or are in geographic proximity.

Integration of NOAA Aerial Monitoring and GIS Programs for Research, Education, and Management within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Author(s): Ben Waltenberger and M. Pickett
Document Size: 220K
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Description: The objective of this project is to monitor and analyze physical and anthropogenic phenomena within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary using a geographic information system (GIS) and aerial global positioning system (GPS) collection strategy.

The Status of GIS Coordination Efforts within the Southern California Bight
Author(s): Catherin A. Schwemm, L.A.K. Mertes, and B. Waltenberger
Document Size: 28K
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Description: The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in all areas of natural resource management planning has significantly increased within the last decade. Within the Southern California Bight and on the Channel Islands, many natural and anthropogenic phenomena ccur or exist over large areas, and are within the purview of several jurisdictional entities. The distribution of wide-ranging species and the locations of offshore energy development facilities are examples of subjects of interest to many agencies, and are particularly suitable for GIS analysis and interpretation.

NMSP/USGS Joint Seabed Mapping Initiative:
Sanctuary Mapping Priorities Identification Process (2004)
Author(s): Christine Taylor, Geographer & Brad Barr, Senior Policy Advisor and East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes Regional Coordinator
Posted:October 2004
Document Size: 3.5MB
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Description: As a follow up on the original meetings and report on the USGS/NMSP Seabed Mapping Initiative, the National Marine Sanctuary Program assessed what seabed mapping had been accomplished in the NMS System, and made a first attempt to prioritize areas within each site for new mapping efforts. This document describes and depicts through a series of maps the locations for different types of bathymetric mapping needs and prioritizes those needs within each individual site. Next steps are described within the introductory text.

Community Capacity Building in the Designation of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve (2002)
Author(s): Joanne M. Delaney, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Posted:2002
Document Size: 628K
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Description: The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary initiated a process in 1998 to create a fully protected ecological reserve in the Tortugas region of the Florida Keys, an area of high coral diversity, excellent water quality, and productive fisheries. In July 2001, after receiving extensive public comment and the necessary agency approvals for designation, the Sanctuary implemented the 518-km2 Tortugas Ecological Reserve, which is the largest fully protected marine reserve in the United States. This paper describes the reserve planning process and its results, and discusses several lessons learned and challenges encountered. This case study of marine reserve creation will benefit those involved in marine protected area planning and management.

Integrating Science into the Design of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve (2001)
Author(s): Benjamin D. Cowie-Haskell, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Joanne M. Delaney, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Posted:2001
Document Size: 960K
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Description: The Tortugas Ecological Reserve, the largest fully protected marine reserve in the U.S.A., was implemented in July 2001 after a successful,three-year collaborative effort. A key facet of this process was the direct involvement of scientists and the acceptance of their information by the various stakeholders collaborating on the reserve’s design. This paper describes how scientific information was ultimately influential in the siting and sizing of the reserve. Case studies such as this may benefit those attempting to use science to inform decisions in marine protected area planning.

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary: Proceedings of the 1998 Research Workshop
Author(s): C. Edward Bowlby, B.A. Blackie, and J.K. Parrish
Document Size: 560K
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Description: The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) planned and organized this 1998 workshop as part of its mission to protect and improve understanding of its marine resources through research and education programs.

A Rapid Assessment of Coral, Fish, and Algae Using the AGRRA Protocol
Author(s): Christy Pattengill-Semmens, S.R. Gittings, and T. Shyka
Document Size: 184K
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Description: As part of a regionwide initiative to assess coral reef condition, the benthic and fish communities of the EFG and WFG were assessed using the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocol. The AGRRA survey was conducted during a week-long cruise in August 1999 that was jointly sponsored by the Flower Garden Bank Nationals Marine Sanctuary and the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF).

Workshop on Marine Mammal Research & Monitoring in the National Marine Sanctuaries (Wailea, Maui, HI)
Author(s): Sarah Fangman and J. Roletto
Document Size: 392K
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Description: The Second National Workshop on Marine Mammal Research and Monitoring in the National Marine Sanctuaries was held November 28, 1999 in Maui, Hawaii. The workshop provided an opportunity to review and promote marine mammal research and monitoring in the National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS). The purpose of the workshop was to bring together researchers and sanctuary staff and to improve marine mammal research and monitoring throughout the sanctuaries.

Conservation Series
Visit the Conservation Series Web Site
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Description: The Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series provides a forum for publication and discussion of the complex issues the National Marine Sanctuary Program faces. Topics of published reports will vary substantially and may include descriptions of educational programs, discussions on resource management issues, and results of scientific research and monitoring projects.

Education and Outreach

National Marine Sanctuary System Education Plan (2000)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted:2000
Document Size: 1MB
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Description: The 2000 National Marine Sanctuary System Education Plan identifies the education mission of our national program in structural, as well as thematic contexts. It translates visions and mandates into an organizational form and a plan of action for the next ten years.

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Brochure
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Document Size: 280K
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Description: This is the latest brochure describing the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was designated America’s first national marine sanctuary January 30, 1975. It protects the wreck of the USS Monitor, the famous Civil War ironclad warship.

Island Ecology Safari Educational Programs at Catalina
Author(s): Julie Goodson and A. Willingham
Document Size: 40K
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Description: Catalina Island is an ideal field site to study island ecosystems. The history of Catalina Island is well documented and offers insight into past cultures and uses. The Orange County Marine Institute’s Island Ecology Safari Program offers students the opportunity to explore this unique island system and participate in the Catalina Island Conservancy’s restoration program.

Hawai'i's Marine Protected Species (A Handbook for Ocean Users - 2001)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2001
Document Size: 528K
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Description: Hawai'i's Marine Protected Species, a handbook for the many ocean users in Hawai'i who encounter marine mammals and turtles,contains information about these marine animals, excerpts from federal and state laws that protect them, guidelines for watching whales and for documenting possible violations of the federal and state laws that protect them, contact information, and maps of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Responsibly Watching California's Marine Wildlife: Handbook for Ocean Users
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuaries/NOAA Fisheries
Document Size: 1.5MB
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Description: The purpose of this handbook is to provide California’s ocean users, including boaters, fishermen, wildlife watchers, kayakers, whale watching and nature-tourism operators with clear and concise information about existing federal and state laws pertaining to California’s marine wildlife and general agency accepted marine wildlife responsible viewing and stewardship principles.

Maritime and Cultural Resources

Maritime Archaeology Program Brochure (2003)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 116K
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Description: This brochure describes the protection of historic shipwrecks and other submerged archaeological sites within the boundaries of the National Marine Sanctuaries.

Report on Mapping Maritime Heritage Resources in National Marine Sanctuaries (2003)
Author(s): Brad Barr, Senior Policy Advisor and East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 1.1MB
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Description: This report covers the workshop (August 2003) that focused on the particular requirements for mapping maritime heritage resources (MHR), including shipwrecks, paleo-shorelines areas and other submerged cultural and historic resources.

General Reports

Airborne Platform Requirements FY 2006 - FY 2015
Author(s):U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: July 2008
Document Size:3.2MB
Click for Document Description
Description:National Marine Sanctuary Program Aircraft Report

Small Boat Requirements Study FY 2006 - FY 2015
Author(s):U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: July 2008
Document Size:8.4MB

Click for Document Description
Description:National Marine Sanctuary Program Small Boat Report

National Marine Sanctuaries Program Final Inspection Report
Author(s): U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General
Document Size:1.9MB

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Description: Final Inspection Report: National Marine Sanctuary Program Protects Certain Resources, But Further Action Could Increase Protection.

Small Boat Requirements Study, FY2003-FY2013
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Document Size: 360K

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Description: This report presents the capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, mooring facility and personnel needs to meet the existing and forecasted on-the-water requirements of the National Marine Sanctuary Program.

Partnerships in the National Marine Sanctuary Program (2004)
Parterships Table:/library/national/partnershipstable.pdf
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: July 2005
Document Sizes: 80K, 92K
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Description: This document presents results of a comprehensive survey of existing partnerships in the NMSP, and illustrates the diversity, comprehensiveness, importance of, and the essential role that partnerships play in the success of the management of the oceans resources.

National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Handbook (2002)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2002
Document Sizes: 796K
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Description: A Sanctuary Advisory Council is a community-based advisory group established to provide recommendations to a Sanctuary Manager on the designation and/or operation of a National Marine Sanctuary. The National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) has eleven Sanctuary Advisory Councils that are operational. This handbook provides Sanctuary staff with information on how to establish, operate, and resolve problems associated with National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Councils.

Pre-Construction Coral Survey of the Wellwood (FL) Grounding Site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Document Size: 124K
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Description: This survey was conducted to provide information on coral abundance and cover in the area to be restored, as well as reference areas nearby. The data establish a preconstruction baseline in these communities and allow scientists and resource managers to track the trajectory of recovery following enhancement. The purpose is to determine whether this restoration will result in a biological assemblage with the character of the transition community that would exist there had the incident not occurred, or whether the assemblage continues to develop the character of a hard ground.

Coordinator Reports

National Marine Sanctuary Program Research Coordinators Meeting Report (2006)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: February 2006
Document Sizes: 664K
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Description: The seventh meeting of the Research Coordinators of the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) was held February 14-18, 2006 at the Waimea Plantation in Kauai, Hawaii. This report summarizes the meeting sessions, including discussions relating to System-Wide Monitoring (SWiM), historical ecology (HMAP), the Reef Environmental Foundation (REEF), website development, NMSP performance measures, and Information Management and Spatial Technology (IMaST).

National Marine Sanctuary Program Research Coordinators Meeting Report (2005)
Author(s): NMSP
Conducted: February 2005
Document Sizes: 376K
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Description: The sixth meeting of the Research Coordinators of the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) was held January 31-February 4, 2005 in the Everglades National Park in south Florida.

National Marine Sanctuary Program Research Coordinators Meeting Report (2004)
Author(s): NMSP
Conducted: February 2004
Document Sizes: 244K
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Description: The fifth meeting of the research coordinators of the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) was held February 2-6, 2004 in California.

Sanctuary Field Site Publications

Olympic Coast leaving site

Cordell Bank leaving site

Monterey Bay leaving site

Channel Islands leaving site

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands leaving site

Hawaiian Island Humpback Whales leaving site

Fagatele Bay leaving site

Stellwagen Bank leaving site

Monitor leaving site

Florida Keys leaving site

Flower Garden Banks leaving site

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