As defined by the U.S. government are areas of the marine environment with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational, or esthetic qualities as national marine sanctuaries. They are designed by the Secretary of Commerce or act of Congress. Most are multiple-use marine protected areas that may include breeding and feeding grounds of whales, sea lions, sharks, and sea turtles; significant coral reefs and kelp forest habitats; and the remains of historic shipwrecks. Some national marine sanctuaries are zoned to include no-take areas. (Note: States may have "sanctuaries" that have a different purpose or are defined differently.)
- Browse Related Terms: [Marine] Natural Heritage, Cultural Heritage, Cultural patrimony, Cultural Resource, Cultural resource(s), Marine Sanctuary, Marine Spatial Planning, National Park Service (NPS), National Register of Historic Places, Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI), Special features, Traditional cultural property (TCP)