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 169–192
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Ocean Acidification 101
Ocean acidification is a chemical process that changes the properties of seawater and is a huge problem for our ocean and way of life.
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Mangrove Forests 101
On the Atlantic coast, mangroves grow from Florida, throughout the Caribbean and down to Argentina in South America.
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Why do Dolphins Swim in Pods?
Two peas in a pod? How about 1,000 dolphins in a pod? A pod is a group of dolphins that travels together. But why do dolphins do this?
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Coral Reefs 101
Photo Credit: Daryl Duda Sometimes called the Rainforests of the Sea, coral reefs are the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet. While they cover only two percent of the ocean floor, nearly 25 percent of all ocean species spend at least part of their lives on a reef, depending on it for food, shelter, […]
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Sea Wonder: Orcas
Orcas (Orcinus orcas) are the largest species of odontocetes, or toothed whales, and are actually part of the dolphin family. They are known as killer whales or the “wolves of the sea” due to their intelligence and ruthless hunting behavio
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Sea Wonder: Coho Salmon
Often called silver salmon, they are characterized by dark blue or greenish backs, silver sides, and white bellies.
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Sea Wonder: Sea Otter
They’re cute and cuddly with the most dense fur of any mammal on earth and teeth that are twice as strong as our own.
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On the Defense: How Marine Animals Adapt to Survive
Marine environments may be beautiful and full of wonder, but it’s also a race to survive for every plant and animal that calls the ocean home. Whether predator or prey, marine species have evolved over thousands of years to adapt to their
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All About Big Momma
At the heart of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa rests Big Momma – a massive porite (stony polyp) coral colony.
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How Climate Change Harms the Ocean
Photo credit: NASA We often associate climate change with images of fire, drought, and other land-based effects. But what happens to the ocean and the animals and plants that call it home as our planet warms due to human activity? Here are some of the consequences of a warming global climate: The ocean becomes more […]
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Sea Wonder: Green Moray Eel
The green moray eel is a mysterious animal that defies expectations. Learn more about this sea wonder here!
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Sea Wonder: Whale Shark
Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish, reaching lengths of more than 40 feet and weights of nearly 50,000 pounds.
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What’s Bubble Net Feeding
Bubble-net feeding is a cooperative hunting strategy that occurs within a group of whales, demonstrating signs of high social intelligence.
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Sea Wonder: Warty Sea Slug
While they might not be the cutest or cuddliest creatures in the sea, the warty sea slug (Dendrodoris warta) is a mysterious invertebrate that plays an important role in the ecosystems in which it lives. Find out more about this creepy, cra
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Sea Wonder: Purple Sea Urchin
The purple sea urchin lives along the coast of North America. Admire but don’t touch— those protective spines on their bodies are sharp!
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Sea Wonder: Barracuda
Twenty-eight species of barracuda call the subtropical and tropical ocean home, including in the National Marine Sanctuary System!
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“Captain Santa” and the story of the Christmas Tree Ship
Our national marine sanctuaries protect the rich cultural and maritime history of the United States by preserving historic shipwrecks and sharing the legends of the captains who sailed them. One of the most celebrated shipwrecks in the wate
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Why a national marine sanctuary would be great for Wisconsin communities
Photo credit: Matt McIntosh/NOAA In Wisconsin, maritime heritage runs deep. From the 1800s to the early 20th century, wooden schooners and innovative steel steamships moved raw materials, agricultural products, and passengers over the icy cold waters of Lake Michigan and drove the prosperity and expansion of our nation. Wisconsin communities played critical roles in evolving […]
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Sea Wonder: Barnacle
The world’s ocean and waterways are home to more than 1,400 species of barnacles. So what are they and why are they wondrous?
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What is Ghost Gear?
Do you know what’s spookier than haunted houses and ghost stories? Abandoned fishing gear left to spend an eternity in the ocean and threatening marine wildlife! Photo Credit: NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program What is Ghost Gear? Ghost gear is a term that refers to any fishing gear (ranging from simple monofilament fishing line to […]
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Sea Wonder: Dwarf sperm whale
There are sperm whales, pygmy sperm whales, and dwarf sperm whales that call the ocean home. Do you know the differences and what they have in common? Learn all about the dwarf sperm whale with this week’s Sea Wonder! Appearance Dwarf spe
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Sea Wonder: Brown Pelican
The brown pelican is one of the more well-known seabirds in the world, and it can be found across the National Marine Sanctuary System. Appearance The brown pelican’s coloration isn’t the only thing that makes it unique. Weighing in arou
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Creature Feature: Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)
Photo credit: Maps for Good/NOAA/PointBlue/ACCESS This week’s creature feature might resemble a floating blob, but it is in fact the largest bony fish in the sea. Say hello to the Mola mola or more commonly known as the ocean sunfish! These odd creatures get their name from their habit of laying their bodies on the surface […]
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The Monitor and the Battle of Hampton Roads
On January 30, 1975, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary became America’s first national marine sanctuary. Learn more about it here!