Ocean Havens: 50 Years of National Marine Sanctuaries
Protections Have Led to Many Species Returning to Santa Barbara Channel
For every crossing I’ve made, it’s always a relief to leave the shipping lanes in my wake and enter the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (NMS). It’s not only a haven for this weary kayaker, but for hundreds of species of fish, invertebrates, seabirds, and marine mammals, the pelagic food web in all its glory.
The sanctuary system has been protecting ocean and Great Lake habitats for 50 years, an anniversary reached at the end of October. It’s a celebration of aquatic life and cultural resources as they coincide with outdoor recreation and tourism, while maintaining that crucial balance of sustainability.
“Fifty years ago, the U.S. ushered in a new era of ocean conservation by creating the National Marine Sanctuary System,” said Claire Fackler, National Education Liaison and Volunteer Coordinator for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “Since then, we’ve grown into a nationwide network of 15 National Marine Sanctuaries and two marine national monuments that conserve more than 620,000 square miles of spectacular ocean and Great Lakes waters, an area nearly the size of Alaska.”
