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Sanctuary protections help ensure the survival of marine wildlife like this fur seal. |
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is one of our nation's most treasured marine areas. The
mission we've been given is to protect this area and ensure future generations are able to use
and enjoy it too. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary provides jobs, attracts millions to
favorite vacation spots, serves as natural classrooms for our children and young adults, and
hold secrets to our past and promises for the future. The sanctuary is a national trust that
we all have a responsibility to protect and enjoy. This means we manage the sanctuary to both
conserve its resources and encourage uses compatible with conservation.
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Breeding populations of murres are protected under sanctuary regulations. |
With the
National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA)
,
Congress directs the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA to identify, designate and manage National
Marine Sanctuaries for the American people. Federal law also provides national marine sanctuaries
the authority to adopt
Regulations and issue
Permits for certain activities.
Congress also directs each National Marine Sanctuary to have a management plan and to periodically
review and update the plan. Olympic Coast NMS completed an update of its
Management Plan in 2011. For additional documents and information, browse our
Public Documents section.