NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

On Friday, Sept. 6, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and its state and local partners celebrated the designation of Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary — America’s newest and 16th national marine sanctuary! Adjacent to New York’s Jefferson, Oswego, Cayuga and Wayne counties, the sanctuary’s waters in eastern Lake Ontario serve as a gateway between the Great Lakes and the ocean and protect culturally significant places, resources and artifacts integral to American history and the heritage of Indigenous Peoples. https://lnkd.in/gF-BkukA #LakeOntario #NOAA #NationalMarineSanctuary

#BREAKINGNEWS: Today, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration announced the release of the final environmental impact statement for the designation of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. This is a significant step in the sanctuary designation process, with a final agency decision expected in October 2024. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/g5vwRpvg #EarthIsBlue #Chumash #ChumashHeritage #California #NOAA #NationalMarineSanctuary

Each year, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary holds the “Lionfish Invitational,” a lionfish research and removal effort in the sanctuary. Since 2011, Indo-Pacific lionfish have invaded the reefs of the Flower Garden Banks, threatening fish populations and reef biodiversity. In an effort to limit the effects of the lionfish, divers and researchers spend several days removing them from the reef. Scientists also conduct surveys to determine what species, quantities, and sizes of fish are present. Here, trip leader Rachel Bowman, also known as the “lioness huntress” holds up lionfish after a dive. For the past nine years, Bowman has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary resource protection efforts. In recognition of this and her dedication to ocean conservation as a whole, she has been selected as the 2024 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer of The Year. Read more in our latest web story: https://lnkd.in/gMZpR7bR #EarthIsBlue #FlowerGardenBanks #Lionfish #InvasiveSpecies #Fishing #PezLeon #EspeciesInvasoras #Pescando

Connecting to national marine sanctuaries from the comfort of your home 🏠 Here’s to our 2023 #GetIntoYourSanctuary Photo Contest winners! Last year’s Sanctuaries at Home winners- 1st Place: Laurie Santoro 2nd Place: Tina Morrison 3rd Place: Jenn Fletcher Our 2024 photo contest is open until September 2, 2024. Submit your photos: https://lnkd.in/eXGccev #EarthIsBlue #PhotoContest #Nature #Ocean #Art

Submit your photos from anywhere in the world 🌎 Last year's Sanctuaries Around the World winners- 1st: María Rodríguez-Salinas 2nd: Lawrence Alex Wu 3rd: Kayvon Malek This is the FINAL WEEKEND to submit your photos to the #GetIntoYourSanctuary Photo Contest: https://lnkd.in/eXGccev

Relax and take in the view 🌅 Check out the winners of the 2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest 📸 Last year’s Sanctuary Views winners- 1st Place: Bruce Sudweeks in NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2nd Place: Martin McClure in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary 3rd Place: Courtney Stanford in NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Our 2024 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest is open until September 2. Submit your photos: https://lnkd.in/eXGccev

Need some photography tips? Trying to decide what pics to submit to our photo contest? Read our new web story, "Sanctuary Snapshots: Expert Photography Tips from Ocean Photo Contest Champions.” 📸 https://lnkd.in/gcbveUFr The #GetIntoYourSanctuary Photo Contest closes this Monday, September 2. Submit your photos now: https://lnkd.in/eXGccev 📸 : Nick Zachar, Matt McIntosh, and Kate Thompson #EarthIsBlue #PhotoContest #Photography #Underwater #Nature #Ocean

This week, we're sharing the winning photos of our 2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest! 📸 Last year's Sanctuary Life winners- 1st Place: Douglas Hoffman in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 2nd Place: Jean Zuo in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 3rd Place: Douglas Croft in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary The Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest closes ONE WEEK from today! Submit your photos by September 2, 2024: https://lnkd.in/eXGccev #EarthIsBlue #MarineLife #PhotoContest #Nature #Ocean #MontereyBay #GreaterFarallones #Hawaii

Ready to go #BackToSchool? 🚌 As the new school year approaches, it is time for teachers and students to explore the fantastic educational materials we have to offer from across the National Marine Sanctuary System! We have some new teacher resources in addition to the many existing lessons, activities, videos, and more, that will help you bring the ocean and Great Lakes into your classroom. https://lnkd.in/e9YnNPUY #EarthIsBlue #BackToSchoolMonth #Education #NOAA NOAA Office of Education

NOAA is now accepting applications to be a member of the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council through Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Council members serve as a bridge between NOAA and sanctuary communities. They help keep sanctuary staff informed of issues and concerns, while also providing information to their communities on the sanctuary’s behalf. Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will also provide advice to NOAA regarding the management of the sanctuary, maritime heritage resources in the sanctuary, and mechanisms for protecting sanctuary resources against existing and future threats. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gkDaM87y Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gF-BkukA