marine sanctuaries
Protected sea zones
Marine sanctuaries are protected areas of ocean, coastline, or other bodies of water where human activity is regulated to preserve ecosystems, wildlife, and cultural resources.
Like national parks on land, they restrict fishing, drilling, or development to safeguard biodiversity: The coral reefs within the marine sanctuary have recovered dramatically.
Some protect historically significant shipwrecks or underwater archaeological sites.
- coral reefsCalcium carbonate marine structures
- shipwrecksDestroyed vessels underwater
- endangered speciesOrganisms facing extinction risk
- mangrovesSalt-water coastal trees
- spawning groundsWhere fish reproduce
sea turtle nesting · zoning regulations · eco-tourism · deep-sea vents · ocean floor · protected areas · indigenous traditions · sustainable fishing · buffer zones · fishing ban · wildlife corridors · seagrass beds · public awareness campaigns · habitat preservation · kelp forests · tide pools · whales · blue whale
- conservationconservation, wildlife, endangered, habitat, preservation
- conservation effortswildlife conservation, habitat restoration, reforestation, national parks, nature reserves
- ocean ecotourismwhale watching, dolphin watching, snorkeling, scuba diving, boat tours
- Protected Ecosystemsnational parks, wildlife reserves, World Heritage Sites, natural monuments, protected areas
- reef tourismsnorkeling, scuba diving, diving, glass bottom boats, Great Barrier Reef
- ocean scienceoceanography, ocean chemistry, oceanic exploration, ocean acidification, ocean currents