The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) was passed in 1972 to protect marine areas of environmental, cultural, or historical significance and ensure their sustainable human use and enjoyment. NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries oversees the sanctuary system’s 14 protected areas (13 sanctuaries and one marine national monument), which range from one to almost 150,000 square miles in size. NMSA does not expire, but its appropriated funding must be reauthorized. Although Congress has continued funding the Program, reauthorization last occurred in 2000. Each opportunity for reauthorization brings questions about whether NMSA could be strengthened. Join representatives from national sanctuaries, the scientific community, the environmental NGO community, and the recreational fishing sector for a discussion of the purpose of the sanctuaries program, the need for reauthorization, and what reauthorization might include in light of current efforts to develop a national ocean policy and framework for marine spatial planning.
Speakers:
- John Armor, Acting Chief, Conservation Policy and Planning Division, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
- Bill Chandler, Vice President for Government Affairs, Marine Conservation Biology Institute
- Steve Gittings, Science Coordinator, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
- Robert Hayes, General Counsel, Coastal Conservation Association
Moderator:
- Jordan Diamond, Staff Attorney, Environmental Law Institute
Materials: