Marine Sanctuaries and Protected Areas Flashcards
What is a marine reserve?
A protected area that is a “no-take” zone. Prohibited activities include fishing, aquaculture, dredging, and mining. Swimming, boating, and scuba diving are permitted.
What is an MPA?
Marine Protected Area; often synonymous with marine sanctuary, but they can allow different things.
The National Marine Sanctuary System consists of how many areas?
13
When was the National Marine Sanctuary System founded? What was it in response to?
1969; Santa Barbara oil spill.
Where is the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary? What activities are allowed?
Off the Pacific coast of California, founded 1980. Recreational fishing, scuba diving, some types of commercial fishing (lobster).
What is significant about the Channel Islands?
Diverse array of marine species, cultural significance to the Chumash people, site of 150 significant shipwrecks.
Where is the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary? What activities are not allowed?
Seamount northwest of San Francisco, founded 1989. Oil and natural gas drilling, removal of benthic organisms, discharge of wastes, and removal of cultural resources. Scuba diving not recommended due to depth and currents.
What is significant about Cordell Bank? (Why is it a sanctuary?)
The California Current drives upwelling in the region. Breeding ground for migratory birds, marine mammals, and fish. Important feeding ground for blue and humpback whales.
What is significant about the National Marine Sanctuary of the American Samoa (Fagatele Bay)? (Why is it a sanctuary?)
Fringing coral reef ecosystem with the widest variety of life of the entire System.
Where is the National Marine Sanctuary of the American Samoa (also known as Fagatele Bay) and when was it founded? When did the name change?
Only 1/4 of a square mile on the coast of Tutulia, American Samoa. 1986. Very recently.
What activities are prohibited in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary?
“No-take” zone. Drilling, dredging, or injuring coral are not allowed. Recreational fishing, diving, and swimming are permitted.
What is significant about the Florida Keys and when was it founded?
Contains the only barrier reef in N. America and the largest seagrass in the world. 1990.
Where is the Flower Garden Banks National Sanctuary located? When was it founded?
Northwestern Gulf of Mexico, near Port Arthur, Texas. 1992, modified in 1996 with the addition of Stetson Bay.
What activities are prohibited in the Flower Garden Banks?
“No-take” zone. Disturbing loggerheads and rays, anchoring, discharging, fishing except with conventional hook-and-line gear.
Where is Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and when was it founded?
Off the coast of Georgia. 1981.
