Stellwagen
Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Massachusetts to Receive Funds for
Resource Surveys and Visitor's Center
4/13/01
PRESIDENT’S
BUDGET SLATES $52 MILLION FOR NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY SYSTEM
contact
David Miller, 202-482-6090
President Bush’s budget
for the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) targets $52 million for the National Marine Sanctuary System,
including Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Massachusetts.
The amount includes $13 million in new funds for the creation or upgrading
of visitors’ facilities called "Ocean Discovery Centers"
at some sanctuaries.
At the Stellwagen Bank National Marine
Sanctuary a portion of this increase will be used to complete revision
of the management plan, which describes the actions to be taken to protect
and manage Sanctuary resources, increase awareness of the Sanctuary
in partnership with the whale watch industry, investigate the submerged
cultural resources of the Sanctuary, and support visitors’ exhibits
in Provincetown, MA and at the New England Aquarium.
"NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank
National Marine Sanctuary is a true treasure for New England and the
whole nation to share," said Scott Gudes, acting NOAA administrator
and under secretary for oceans and atmosphere. "These incredible
underwater parks allow us to protect, conserve and enhance areas that
might not otherwise be here for future generations."
Gudes added, "The continued investment
in our marine sanctuaries will allow for upgrading the operating and
technical capacity in the 13 marine sanctuaries."
The FY 2002 increase will be used
to improve protection of important sanctuary resources, including coral
reefs, endangered marine mammals, sensitive habitats and significant
cultural resources. In coming months, NOAA plans to use vessels and
aircraft to inventory natural and cultural resources at all 13 sanctuaries,
and the Northwest Hawaiian Islands coral reserve, including activities
conducted under the Sustainable Seas Expedition.
In 1972, exactly one hundred years
after the first national park was created, the Nation made a similar
commitment to preserving its marine treasures by establishing the National
Marine Sanctuary Program. Today there are 13 National Marine Sanctuaries.
They encompass deep ocean gardens, near shore coral reefs, whale feeding
and calving grounds, deep sea canyons and even underwater archaeological
sites. Together the sanctuaries protect nearly 20,000 square miles of
ocean waters and habitats. While some activities are regulated or prohibited
in sanctuaries to protect resources, multiple uses consistent with resource
protection (such as recreation, commercial fishing and shipping) are
allowed. Research, education and outreach activities are major components
in each sanctuary’s program.
NOAA’s National Ocean Service
has managed marine sanctuaries since the passage of the Marine Protection,
Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, now called the National Marine
Sanctuaries Act.
The President’s FY 2002 budget
request for NOAA is available on the Internet at www.noaa.gov
To learn more about the National Marine Sanctuaries program visit http://www.sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov
