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 145–168
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Blue Whale | Blue Whale Size
Blue whales are fascinating underwater creatures. Learn more about them here and take action to protect this endangered species!
-
blog
The Collision of the John J. Audubon and the Defiance
The Wooden Schooner Defiance in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Tane Casserley/NOAA In the fall of 1854, the John J. Audubon and the Defiance met each other head on and landed in their final resting place along the shores of Alpena, Michigan in what is now Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The Audubon and […]
-
blog
Five Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Rose Atoll Marine National Monument
Rose Atoll Marine National Monument is one of four marine national monuments in the U.S. Pacific Ocean and lies 130 miles east of American Samoa’s Pago Pago Harbor. For reference, American Samoa is located between the Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand. This monument protects one of the most pristine atolls (ring-shaped reefs) in the world, […]
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Brandt’s Cormorant
Brandt’s Cormorant in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Curtis Wee Named after Johan Friedrich von Brandt, the German zoologist that first documented the species, Brandt’s Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pencillatus) is a marine bird found only along North America’s Pacific coasts. Brandt’s Cormorants are the largest cormorant species on the Pacific coast and are well adapted […]
-
blog
Noise Pollution 101
A humpback whale mother and calf in Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Marine mammals are especially sensitive to sound as it affects how they communicate. Photo: J. Moore/NOAA, under MMHSRP permit #20311 You might not consider noise a source of pollution, but the din of human activity affects animals all over the globe, […]
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Harbor Seal
Harbor seals are “true seals”, meaning they do not have external ear flaps and cannot use their hind flippers to walk on land.
-
blog
Scuba Diving for White Abalone at the “Hotspot”
By: Oriana Poindexter, Founder & Principal, Pelagic Projects This blog is the second 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. In part three of this blog series, Diving Into Abalone […]
-
blog
Extreme Tidepooling for Black Abalone on California’s Central Coast
Of California’s seven abalone species, the intertidal black abalone is relatively easy to access, but difficult to find. Learn more here.
-
blog
The Three Types of Coral Reefs
Coral reefs live and grow all throughout the world’s ocean, and there are three distinct types: fringing, barrier, and atoll reefs.
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Humpback Whale
Humpback whale and calf. Photo: J. Moore/NOAA, under NOAA permit #15240. The scientific name for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) means “large-winged” and refers to these whales’ enormous flipper, which grow to be one-third of their full body length. Their common name comes from the distinctive hump positioned directly in front of their dorsal fin. These […]
-
blog
Q&A on the 2020 International Coastal Cleanup
James Roubal at 5th of July Cleanup with Washington CoastSavers On Saturday, September 19, 2020, the 35th Annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is taking place all around the world. Started almost 30 years ago by Ocean Conservancy, the ICC brings people together to clean up trash in our coastal waters and beaches. And, for many […]
-
blog
The Twice Sunk Steel Bulk Freighter Grecian
The Grecian is a 296-foot-long steel bulk freighter lying nearly 100 feet deep in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Its bow, stern, most of the machinery – including the engine, boiler, pieces of the propeller, and deck machinery – are generally intact. Unfortunately, the midship portion of the freighter collapsed. The Grecian represented an era […]
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Parrotfish
Parrotfish – named for their vibrant colors and fused teeth that form beak-like plates on their mouths – are popular fish among divers.
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Giant Clam
One of the largest of all bivalve mollusks in the world, reaching lengths of more than 4 feet, they can live for nearly a century!
-
blog
Rebuild, Replant, Revive: Restoration at Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi
By Melissa Mau, Project Coordinator for Heʻeia Wetland Restoration at Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi Picture of He’eia wetland restoration with taro patches. Photo Credit: Crysta Chambers There on the windward side of Oahu, near the majestic Koʻolau mountains along the eastern half of Oʻahu, lies the ahupuaʻa (a traditional land division) of Heʻeia. Heʻeia is often seen […]
-
blog
Bycatch 101: A Global Threat to the Ocean
Shark entangled in derelict fishing net. Photo: NOAA Modern fishing gear is incredibly good at catching desired seafood species over large areas of the ocean with minimal effort. Unfortunately, equipment like gillnets, J-hooks, and trawling nets – more passive forms of gear – aren’t selective in what they trap, which can cause harm to animals […]
-
blog
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Celebrates 20 Years!
By Kris Sarri, President & CEO, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Para español, haga clic aquí Today marks the 20th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Thank you for your support of this remarkable organization and for our national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments. The U.S. is a leader in protecting our global ocean […]
-
blog
Get Into Your Sanctuary 2020 | National Marine Sanctuary
The annual event is a way to showcase the beauty and wonder of sanctuaries and all the opportunities they offer for recreation and tourism.
-
blog
What To Do When You See An Entangled Marine Animal
An entangled whale entangled in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: J. Moore/NOAA MMHSRP under Permit #18786-02 Whales, sea turtles, sea lions, and other marine animals are often seen caught in marine debris, usually fishing gear like nets and lines. With nearly 800,000 tons of fishing gear lost annually, and as much as […]
-
blog
The Capture of the ex-USS Schurz of Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
The only German Imperial Navy warship the U.S. Navy was able to capture during World War I was the ex-USS Schurz (formerly named the SMS Geier). The ship was built in 1894 and sailed for nearly 25 years before sinking in 1918 after colliding with the SS Florida. It now lies at a depth of […]
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Blue Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin Photo Credit: NOAA Known as one of the ocean’s largest fish, the blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) is also one of the most sought-after big game fishes in the entire world! People often confuse them for swordfish and sailfish (though all three are part of the billfish family) due to their similarities, but […]
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Blacktip Reef Shark
Named for their distinct black tipped fins along their bodies and presence in shallow waters near reef, blacktip reef sharks are one of the smaller species of shark in the world’s ocean. Description Blacktip reef sharks can reach lengths
-
blog
Become a Water Quality Monitor (Virtually) with Potomac Riverkeeper Network
By: Emily Franc, Vice President for Development and Philanthropy, Potomac Riverkeeper Network Water is a panacea for my soul. Waking up in the early morning and looking out on the Potomac River is my favorite time of day. The water looks fr
-
blog
Sea Wonder: Manatees
People all over the world admire manatees for their gentle nature and adorable appearance. In fact, they’ve earned the nickname of “sea cows” due to their slow nature and constant grazing which actually helps ensure vegetative balance in co