Welcome to the National Marine Sanctuary Program web site. Here you'll find information about our nation's marine sanctuaries -- their history and current management, their scientific and educational programs, and their continuing efforts to conserve our nation's ocean and coastal treasures. Our national calendar will keep you updated on the many exciting events that take place in our sanctuaries throughout the year. Within our 13 sites, you'll discover a vast range of marine creatures, habitats, historical artifacts, and flourishing maritime cultures. In one site you'll find the breeding and calving grounds of giant humpback whales, in another the remains of an 18th century shipwreck, and in yet another thriving coral reef colonies or kelp forests. We hope you'll return often to learn more about the living marine resources we all share. We appreciate your comments and suggestions. The National Marine Sanctuary System is a program of the National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Please visit the following Web sites for more information: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service Office of Ocean and Coastal and Resource Management Privacy Policy Off-site Link Disclaimer

Press Releases Check out our latest science feature "Window Seats Rock! -- The science of biogeography and why it matters" Latest Publication: "Community Capacity Building in the Designation of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve" The 2004 NOAA-ONR Alligator search expedition took place Aug. 22-30 off Cape Hatteras, N.C. in the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." The latest edition of Sanctuary Watch has been posted. Sign up for the National Marine Sanctuaries e-mail newsletter. For NMS Employees Joint Management Plan Review