Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–August 3, 2010. National Marine Sanctuaries have helped facilitate ecosystem-based management practices in U.S. waters by developing tools that balance marine conservation goals while minimizing conflicts between diverse marine interests, according to a new NOAA report.
The National Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series report, “Examples of Ecosystem-based Management in National Marine Sanctuaries: From Theory to Practice,” found that across the sanctuary system, managers used various approaches to encourage stakeholder engagement and guide protection of marine habitats and biodiversity. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries manages 14 marine protected areas covering more than 150,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters.