The natural “live-bottom” reef is teeming with marine life for divers to discover. Explore the recreational opportunities here, check out: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/visit/2020-giys-activities.html#grnms
(Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA. Image description: Reefscape in the foreground with a diver approaching.)
Meet City of Washington, an iron hulled steamer launched in 1877. On July 10th, 1917, the ship ran aground on Elbow Reef sinking in what is now Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
City of Washington has been a favorite dive site for decades. It is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Shipwreck Trail, which consists of nine shipwrecks scattered from Key West to Key Largo representing America’s maritime history.
To learn more, visit: https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/shipwrecktrail/welcome.html
(Photo: Bill Goodwin/NOAA. Image description: Driver examining a wreck’s broken hull.)
This photo was submitted to our Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest for 2020. Check out the winners here: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/earthisblue/photo-contest-winners-2020.html
(Photo: Bruce Sudweeks. Image description: Two bright blue nudibranchs with yellow spots close together.)
#EarthIsBlue #ILoveMySanctuary #PhotoContest #Nudibranch #CA #CaliforniaCoast #WildSanctuaries #UnderwaterPhotography #UWPhotography
(Photo: Mike Kesl. Image description: Straight on look at a brown and black speckled fish with two protruding eyes.)
Meet the basket star! This organism is often found curled up in a web of twisted arms. At night, they move to a high point on a reef and unravel their many arms to trap small prey with their sharp hooks! This neat creature was found near Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.(Photo: GFOE/NOAA. Image description: Bright orange basket star arms tangled together.)
Visit: https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/maritime/parker.html to dive into history!
(Photo: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA. Image description: Anchor on the seafloor over wrecked remains of a ship.)
Read the full story at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/dec20/tale-of-two-sanctuaries.html
Two islands in the Pacific – American Samoa and Palau – sit nearly 4,000 miles apart, but are united by the rich ocean waters that surround them. In September, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), which honors this inherent connection and opens the door for international collaboration.
Today’s public announcement of this partnership agreement officially recognizes Palau National Marine Sanctuary as a sister site to National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, and also introduces a framework for regional collaboration that includes Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawai’i. The agreement will make it easier for ecosystem managers and scientists in the United States Pacific Region and Palau to share knowledge and experience, which will benefit natural resources and wildlife throughout the region, as well as the communities who depend on them.
Read the full story at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/dec20/tale-of-two-sanctuaries.html
Purple sea urchins play a key role in kelp forests along the West Coast. Active grazers, these urchins feed on seaweeds, like giant kelp and bull kelp.
Learn what happens when urchin populations increase in kelp forests in this video!
To learn more, visit https://go.usa.gov/x7GQn
americasgreatoutdoors
On Veterans Day, we say thank you to all the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. Memorials across the country honor our brave veterans and make sure that we never forget their dedication and sacrifice. Photo of the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. courtesy of Nathan Jones.
