A U.S. National Marine Sanctuary is one of 13 protected marine ecosystems within U.S. waters. The program began after an oil spill off California in 1969 brought the plight of marine ecosystems to national attention. Congress responded in 1972 with the the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act which allowed for the creation of marine sanctuaries. The program is run by the NOAA.

List of U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries

• Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
• Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
• Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic, Gulf Coast)
• Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (Gulf Coast)
• Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic)
• Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
• Hawaii Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
• Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic)
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
• Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific)
• Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic)
• Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic)
• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Great Lakes)

External links

National Marine Sanctuaries (http://www.sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/welcome.html)