protected waters
Marine conservation zones
Protected waters are bodies of water where navigation, fishing, or other activities are regulated or restricted—typically by government authority.
The term covers marine sanctuaries, wildlife refuges, and coastal zones where environmental or safety rules apply: Commercial fishing is banned in protected waters near the reef.
Protected waters can also mean waters sheltered from open sea conditions: The harbor's protected waters make it ideal for small craft.
- marine sanctuaryProtected ocean habitat area
- bayPartially enclosed water
- shelterProtected place or structure
- damsWater-blocking structures
- mangrove forestCoastal woodland of salt-tolerant trees
tidal flats · levees · harbor · no-take zone · coral reef · sustainable fisheries · catch limits · freshwater ecosystem · nature reserves · nature preserve · seawalls · spawning grounds · buffer zones · refuge · safe harbor · aquatic habitat · inlet · fishing quotas
- safe harboursharbors, ports, marinas, anchorages, natural harbors
- Intracoastal Waterwayinland waterways, mile markers, navigation aids, navigational aids, channels
- maritime zonesterritorial sea, maritime border, high seas, fishing zones, fishing zone
- aquatic environmentswetlands, marshes, lakes, rivers, streams
- harborsanchorage, haven, Boston Harbor, New York Harbor, berths
- zonesdanger zone, restricted zone, territory, district, time zone
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