Stories
The Foundation Blog
Stories from the National Marine Sanctuary System — conservation, science, community, and the people who care for America's public waters.
All stories
243 posts · showing 97–120
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Sea Wonder: Green Sea Turtle
A diver swims behind a green sea turtle in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo credit: Olivia Williamson The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is one of the seven sea turtle species that inhabits the global ocean. They are the largest of all the hard-shelled sea turtles and the only one with a strictly herbivorous […]
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Into the Wild: Exhibit Creation with the Aquarium of the Pacific
Photo credit: Oriana Poindexter By: Oriana Poindexter, Founder & Principal, Pelagic Projects This blog is the fourth in a series, The Iridescent Ones: Visualizing California’s Abalone. Read part one of this blog series, Extreme Tidepooling for Black Abalone on California’s Central Coast, in which Oriana goes searching for black abalone. Part two of this blog series, Scuba Diving […]
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Giving Thanks: A Message from our President and CEO
Photo credit: Peggy Langford Dear Friends, On January 21, 2021, Amanda Gorman stepped up to the inaugural podium in Washington, DC, and read: “The Hill We Climb.” Her words called us to a better future, to face challenges with resilience, grace, and a sense of shared responsibility. Her words stayed with me. As we begin […]
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Gray’s Reef Fishing Experience
Gray’s Reef Fishing Experience Gray’s Reef Fishing Experience Photo credit: Nick Zachar On August 5, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary launched their new online best fishing practices guide to help anglers fish responsibly, get involved in citizen science projects, and make the most of their visits to Gray’s Reef. In today’s guest blog, we spoke with […]
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Species in Disguise: Camouflage
A spotted moray eel seen in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo credit: Steve Miller When we dress up, it could be for an important event, to express our individuality, or to pretend to be someone else to earn candy from our neighbors during the spooky season. Animals of all kinds dress up too, […]
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Blue Beacon: Embracing Collaborative Conservation in Future Sanctuaries
A traditional Chumash tomol crossing at sunset. Photo credit: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA On Friday, October 1st, our ocean lost a true champion. Fred Collins, Northern Chumash Tribal Council Chair, who championed the designation of a Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary passed away. We are saddened that Chair Collins and Mayor Pletnikoff of St. George, Alaska did […]
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Things to Know About Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast
A diver swims over the two-masted schooner, Walter B. Allen. Photo credit: Tamara Thomsen/Wisconsin Historical Society On June 22, 2021, six years after receiving community support for its nomination, NOAA announced the designation of Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The newest site in the National Marine Sanctuary System, Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast is only the […]
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Ocean Acidification | Coral Bleaching | National Marine Sanctuary
The term “ocean acidification” describes the declining pH of ocean waters, which makes it more acidic, harming coral, clams and more.
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What is an Estuary?
An estuary is an area where a freshwater river or stream meets with an ocean. The salt and fresh water mix to create brackish water.
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Sea Wonder: Manta Ray
For centuries, mantas have captured the human imagination, making their way into cultural lore and traditions.
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Partnering Up for a Clean Up: Coastal Cleanup Day in the Channel Islands
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Affiliate, Pike Spector, helps remove lost lobster traps from the shoreline of Santa Cruz Island. Photo credit: Claire Fackler On September 3rd, Goal Clean Seas: Channel Islands kicked off Coastal Cleanup Day with a cleanup along the shore of Santa Cruz Island within Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National […]
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Books About the National Marine Sanctuaries
Photo credit: Josué Goge From our heritage and history to the story of life on earth, America’s National Marine Sanctuary System is full of wonder and adventure. In fact, the establishment of national marine sanctuaries and other protected areas in the ocean tell the story of our commitment and connections to the ocean. Here are […]
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Sea Wonder: Gray Seal
Gray seals are part of the phocid or true seal family. Interestingly, despite the name, their coats are not always completely gray in color.
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Ways To Explore The Sanctuaries Without Getting Your Feet Wet
There is no shortage of opportunities to explore and adventure in and near our national marine sanctuaries. You may assume these activities are only available to divers, snorkelers, and boaters – and many of them are – but there are ways to experience the National Marine Sanctuary System in ways that don’t even require you […]
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Sea Wonder: Chambered Nautilus
The chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) is a cephalopod, related to cuttlefish, squid, and octopus known as “living fossils.”
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Successful shoreline cleanup gets participants into their local marine sanctuary, while getting unwanted debris out
Molly Troup from Santa Barbara Channelkeeper shows some of the most common plastic debris she picked up at Chinese Harbor. Photo Credit: Amber McEldowney On a bright Friday morning in early August, the NOAA R/V Shearwater and volunteers, two local Santa Barbara commercial lobstermen and their crews, and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, a local NGO, left […]
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Sea Wonder: Goliath Grouper
A diver swims behind a goliath grouper. Photo credit: DRTO DESCRIPTION The goliath grouper lives up to its giant name as one of the largest species of grouper in the Atlantic Ocean. These fish can grow to over eight feet long and weigh as much as eight hundred pounds! Despite their size, their mottled yellow-brown […]
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Blue Beacon: Big Ocean Protection
Photo credit: Brad Ka‘aleleo Wong/Office of Hawaiian Affairs by Moriah Byrd, Policy Intern Large marine protected areas (LMPAs) are an essential tool to conserve marine ecosystems at-scale. Their size enables LMPAs to protect and conserve wildlife and habitats across interconnected ecosystems, managing each for their unique needs as well as for the connections within the […]
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Sea Wonder: Frogfish
A frogfish in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary’s Stetson Bank. Photo credit: Steve Miller Approximately 50 species of frogfish (antennariida) inhabit the world’s ocean, but looking at them, you might assume they live in outer space! They are closely related to anglerfish and quite an underwater marvel. They are masters of camouflage, have feet […]
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Diving into Abalone Habitat: Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
By: Oriana Poindexter, Founder & Principal, Pelagic Projects This blog is the third in a series, The Iridescent Ones: Visualizing California’s Abalone. Read part one of this blog series, Extreme Tidepooling for Black Abalone on California’s Central Coast, in which Oriana goes searching for black abalone. Part two of this blog series, Scuba Diving for White […]
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CHOW Plenary Deep Dive — Improving Resource and Climate Policy Engagement in U.S. Territories
Home to more than 4 million people, the islands of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, American Samoa and Guam sit on the frontlines of a rapidly accelerating climate crisis. There, the islands and the c
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Sea Wonder: Sea Cucumber
The name sea cucumber may suggest a vegetable found in the ocean, but these echinoderms are actually animals! Learn more here!
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Sea Wonder: Bottlenose Dolphin
A bottlenose dolphin found in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo credit: NOAA The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the world’s most well-known mammals. You might know them for jumping, flipping, and surfing along the wakes of boats, but these aquatic marvels are capable of so much more. Description Common bottlenose dolphins […]
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Sea Wonder: Garibaldi
Garibaldi are generally found at around 45 feet or less because their prey also lives in shallower waters. This garibaldi was found in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary but they frequent all four of California’s sanctuaries. Photo: Claire Fackler/NOAA Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) are vibrant, orange fishes that are part of the damselfish family (Pomacentridae). Their […]