National Marine Sanctuaries Documents

photo of a jellyfish

This page provide a series of scientific, educational, and technical publications related to NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program listed chronologically as received.

External Reviews


Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General Report
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 1.9 MB

National Academy of Public Administration Report
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2006
Document Size: NA

National Academy of Public Administration Report
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2000
Document Size: 1.7MB

General Accounting Office Report
Author(s): Comptroller General of the United States
Year: 1981
Document Size: 3.6 MB

External Review Team Report
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 1993
Document Size: 11.9 MB


Rapid Management Plans


Channel Islands NMS Rapid MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2018
Document Size: 401 KB

Olympic Coast NMS Rapid MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2018
Document Size: 303 KB

Thunder Bay NMS Rapid MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year:  2018
Document Size:  0.99 MB

NMS of American Samoa Rapid MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year:  2018
Document Size: 595 KB

Stellwagon Bank NMS Rapid MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year:  2018
Document Size: 1.25 MB

Greater Farallones NMS Rapid MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year:  2019
Document Size: 562 KB

Cordell Bank NMS Rapid MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year:  2019
Document Size: 2.19 MB

Gray's Reef NMS Rapid MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year:  2019
Document Size: 553 KB

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS MPR
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2020
Document Size: 4 MB


Management Plans and EIS


American Samoa National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2012
Document Size: 33 MB 

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1980
Document Size: 33 MB 

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2009
Document Size: 3.1 MB 

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 4 MB 

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 3.8 MB 

Cordell Bank National Mairne Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 7.9 MB 

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Final Managment Plan - Updated in Response to the Sanctuary Expansion
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2014
Document Size: 2.5 MB 

Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries Final Impact Statement for the Expansion
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2014
Document Size: 14.5 MB 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1996
Document Size: 43.5 MB 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Revised Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2007
Document Size: 4 MB 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan/ Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1991
Document Size: 9.5 MB 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2012
Document Size: 5 MB 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Assessment
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2012
Document Size: 2.6 MB 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Assessment Volume I
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2020
Document Size: 8.2 MB

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Assessment Volume II
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2020
Document Size: 25.8 MB

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1983
Document Size: 5.1 MB 

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Final Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1983
Document Size: 15.7 MB 

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan/ Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2006
Document Size: 3.8 MB 

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2014
Document Size: 1.7 MB 

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement Vol. 1
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1980
Document Size: 41.1 MB 

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement Vol. 2
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1980
Document Size: 29.1 MB 

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1987
Document Size: 13.9 MB 

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 8.8 MB 

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 7.9 MB 

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan - Updated in Response to the Sanctuary Expansion
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2014
Document Size: 3.1 MB 

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan/ Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1997
Document Size: 36.3 MB 

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan (HIHWNS)
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2002
Document Size: 5.1 MB 

Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan (FL Keys)
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1983
Document Size: 3.7 MB

Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Designation Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2024
Document Size: 7 MB

Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan (FL Keys)
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1983
Document Size: 4.3 MB

Mallows Bay – Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary Designation Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2019
Document Size: 6.7 MB

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1975
Document Size: 583K 

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1983
Document Size: 2.8 MB 

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1996
Document Size: 262K 

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 5.9 MB 

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 30 MB

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement Vol. 1
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1993
Document Size: 35.2 MB

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statement Vol. 2
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1993
Document Size: 27 MB

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1994
Document Size: 2.4 MB

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan and Environmental Assessment
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2011
Document Size: 7.7 MB

Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nationa Monument Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 7.8 MB

Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nationa Monument Final Environmental Assessment
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 12.3 MB

Proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Management Plan
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2021
Document Size: 9.55 MB

Stellwagen Ban National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan and Enivrionmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1993
Document Size: 8.7 MB

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan and Enivrionmental Assessment
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2010
Document Size: 16.7 MB

Thunder Bay Final Evironmental Impact Statement
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 1999
Document Size: 3.4 MB

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Assessment
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2009
Document Size: 89.4 MB

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan 
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2009
Document Size: 3 MB

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Final Environmental Impact Statment for the Expansion 
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2014
Document Size: 4 MB

Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary Designation Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Management Plan 
Author(s): NOAA
Year: 2020
Document Size: 4 MB


Policy Permitting or Regulations


Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Potential White Shark Research and Education Projects in Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries.
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2014
Document Size: 7MB

Policy and Permit Guidance for Submarine Cable Projects
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2011
Document Size: 185K

Record of Decision for the Final Programatic Environmental Impact Statement on Coral Restoration in the Florida Keys and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2011
Document Size: 2.2 MB

Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement For Coral Restoration In The Florida Keys And Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2010
Document Size: 1.6 MB

NOAA's Regulation of Fishing in National Marine Sanctuaries
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2008
Document Size: 116K

Remediation for the Pacific Crossing-1 North and East Submarine Fiber Optic Cables in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2005
Document Size: 2.9 MB

Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Seagrass Restoration in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2004
Document Size: 2.8 MB

Fair Market Value Analysis for a Fiber Optic Cable Permit in National Marine Sanctuaries
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2002
Document Size: 108K

Tortugas Ecological Reserve Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/ Final Supplemental Management Plan (FL Keys)
Author(s):NOAA
Year: 2000
Document Size: 4.5 MB


Accomplishments Reports


National Marine Sanctuaries Accomplishments Report (2014)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: Sept. 2015

National Marine Sanctuaries Accomplishments Report (2013)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: Jul. 2014

National Marine Sanctuaries Accomplishments Report (2012)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: Dec. 2013

National Marine Sanctuaries Accomplishments Report (2011)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: Sept. 2012

National Marine Sanctuaries Accomplishments Report (2010)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2011

National Marine Sanctuaries Accomplishments Report (2009)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2010

National Marine Sanctuaries Accomplishments Report (2008)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2009

National Marine Sanctuaries Accomplishments Report (2007)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2008

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2006)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2007

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2005)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2006

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2004/2005)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: March 2005
Document Size: 2.8MB

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2003/2004)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2004
Document Size: 2MB

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2003)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 1.4MB

National Marine Sanctuaries State of the Sanctuary Report (2002)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 1.6MB

Individual Sanctuaries Accomplishments Reports 

2014 Field Site Reports 

2013 Field Site Reports 

2012 Field Site Reports 

2011 Field Site Reports 

2010 Field Site Reports 

2009 Field Site Reports 

2008 Field Site and Program Reports 

2007 Field Site and Program Reports 

2006 Field Site Reports 

2005 Field Site Reports 


Research and Monitoring


2016 Flower Garden Banks Localized Mortality Event Mini-Symposium Report (2018)
Posted: June 2018
Document Size: 2.7MB

National Marine Sanctuary System Condition Report (2013)
Posted: June 2013
Document Size: 6.7MB

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Spatial Bibliography: A Science-Planning Tool (2007)
Author(s): 
Christine Taylor and David Moe Nelson
Posted: February 2008
Document Size: 4.7MB

Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report (2007)
Posted: August 2007
Document Size: 6.7MB

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report (2007)
Posted: April 2007
Document Size: 8.5MB

Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Research Partnership: Quarterly Progress Reportts V-VI (2006-2007)
Posted: January 2007
Document Size: 3.5MB

Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Research Partnership Quarterly Progress Reports II-III (2005-2006)
Posted: March 2006
Document Size: 1.3MB

A Monitoring Framework for the NMSP (2004)
Posted: January 2005
Document Size: 1.6MB

Broad-Scale Non-indigenous Species Monitoring along the West Coast in National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves (2005)
Author(s): partneship between Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, National Estuarine Research Reserve System, National Marine Sanctuary Program, and Other institution (for taxonomists), see Appendix A
Posted: August 2005
Document Size: 4.7MB

US Geological Survey, NOAA/National Marine Sanctuary Program's Seabed Mapping Initiative: 2002-2003 Annual Report (2003)
Author(s): Brad Barr, Senior Policy Advisor and East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 4.2MB

Sanctuary Science: Evaluation of Status and Information Need (2002)
Author(s): Steve Gittings, Kimberly Benson, Paula Souik, and Mitchell Tartt
Posted: 2002
Document Size: 3.6MB

Integration of NOAA Aerial Monitoring and GIS Programs for Research, Education, and Management within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Author(s): Ben Waltenberger and M. Pickett
Document Size: 220K

The Status of GIS Coordination Efforts within the Southern California Bight
Author(s): Catherin A. Schwemm, L.A.K. Mertes, and B. Waltenberger
Document Size: 28K

NMSP/USGS Joint Seabed Mapping Initiative:
Sanctuary Mapping Priorities Identification Process (2004)
Author(s): Christine Taylor, Geographer & Brad Barr, Senior Policy Advisor and East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes Regional Coordinator
Posted:October 2004
Document Size: 3.5MB

Community Capacity Building in the Designation of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve (2002)
Author(s): Joanne M. Delaney, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Posted:2002
Document Size: 628K

Integrating Science into the Design of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve (2001)
Author(s): Benjamin D. Cowie-Haskell, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Joanne M. Delaney, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Posted:2001
Document Size: 960K

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary: Proceedings of the 1998 Research Workshop
Author(s): C. Edward Bowlby, B.A. Blackie, and J.K. Parrish
Document Size: 560K

A Rapid Assessment of Coral, Fish, and Algae Using the AGRRA Protocol
Author(s): Christy Pattengill-Semmens, S.R. Gittings, and T. Shyka
Document Size: 184K

Workshop on Marine Mammal Research & Monitoring in the National Marine Sanctuaries (Wailea, Maui, HI)
Author(s): Sarah Fangman and J. Roletto
Document Size: 392K

Conservation Series
Visit the Conservation Series Web Site


Education and Outreach


National Marine Sanctuary System Education Plan (2000)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted:2000
Document Size: 1MB

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Brochure
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Document Size: 280K

Island Ecology Safari Educational Programs at Catalina 
Author(s): Julie Goodson and A. Willingham
Document Size: 40K

Hawai'i's Marine Protected Species (A Handbook for Ocean Users - 2001)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2001
Document Size: 528K

Responsibly Watching California's Marine Wildlife: Handbook for Ocean Users
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuaries/NOAA Fisheries
Document Size: 1.5MB


Maritime and Cultural Resources


Graveyard of the Atlantic Report 
Author(s) and Contributor(s): Joseph Hoyt, James P. Delgado, Bradley Barr, Bruce Terrell and Valerie Grussing
Posted: 2014
Document Size: 7.2MB

The Search For Planter The Ship that Escaped Charleston and Carried Robert Smalls to Destiny 
Author(s) and Contributor(s): Bruce G. Terrell, Gordon P. Watts & Timothy J. Runyan
Posted: 2014
Document Size: 8.5MB

Unlocking the Secrets of Swains Island: a Maritime Heritage Resources Survey (2013)
Author(s) and Contributor(s): Hans K. Van Tilburg, David J. Herdrich, Rhonda Suka, Matthew Lawrence, Christopher Filimoehala, Stephanie Gandulla Runyan
Posted: 2020
Document Size: 6.7MB

Fathoming Our Past (2007)
Author(s) and Contributor(s): John Broadwater, Kekuena Kikiloi, Matthew Lawrence, Wayne Lusardi, Deborah Marx, Joylynn Oliveria, Julie Taomia, Bruce G. Terrell, Hans Van Tilburg
Posted: 2009
Document Size: 9.7MB

Maritime Archaeology Program Brochure (2003)
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 116K

Report on Mapping Maritime Heritage Resources in National Marine Sanctuaries (2003)
Author(s): Brad Barr, Senior Policy Advisor and East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: 2003
Document Size: 1.1MB


General Reports


Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for the Research Area within Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary: A 10-year Review

Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis for the Management Plan Review of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary 10-Year Assessment

Regulatory Flexibility Assessment for the Joint Management Plan Review of Monterey Bay, Greater Farallones, and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
Author(s): Vernon R. Leeworthy, Danielle Schwarzmann, and Max Delaney
Posted: July 2019
Document Size:691K

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for the Joint Management Plan Review of Monterey Bay, Greater Farallones, and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries 10-year Review

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for the MPAs in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary: A 10-year Review
Author(s): Vernon R. Leeworthy, and Danielle Schwarzmann
Posted: May 2017
Document Size:574K

A Facilities Master Plan for Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting with TranSystems 
Posted: January 2015
Document Size:15.9MB

A Facility Strategy for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting 
Posted: January 2015
Document Size:1.7MB

A Conceptual Site Plan for Kure Atoll
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting 
Posted: January 2015
Document Size:10.96MB

National Facilities and Exhibits Plan 2010
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting with TranSystems 
Posted: January 2015
Document Size:40.41MB

A Facility Strategy for the Kaua'i NOAA Sanctuary Discovery Center 
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting 
Posted: August 2011
Document Size:4.7MB

Charrette Report for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Marine Operations Center
Author(s):Black and Veatch Special Projects Corp. with Facility Programming and Consulting 
Posted: August 2011
Document Size:13.2MB

Downtown Savannah Outreach Market Study 
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting 
Posted: August 2011
Document Size:12.5MB

Downtown Savannah Outreach Facility Study 
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting 
Posted: August 2011
Document Size:9.1MB

Master Plan Update: Improvements to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting 
Posted: August 2011
Document Size:11MB

Action Plan for the Kalauha'iha'i (Lucas Spring) Fishpond Restoration Project 
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting with Fraser and Fogle Architects and Leeway Enterprise 
Posted: August 2011
Document Size:9.2MB

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Requirements Document 
Author(s):Ferraro Choi and Associates with TranSystems and Facility Programming and Consulting 
Posted: August 2011
Document Size:1.1MB

Facilities and Exhibits Master Plan Executive Summary
Author(s):Facility Programming and Consulting and TranSystems prepared the National Facilities and Exhibits Master Plan. 
Posted: February 2011
Document Size:1MB

Airborne Platform Requirements FY 2006 - FY 2015
Author(s):U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, National Marine Sanctuary Program 
Posted: July 2008
Document Size:3.2MB

Small Boat Requirements Study FY 2006 - FY 2015
Author(s):U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, National Marine Sanctuary Program 
Posted: July 2008
Document Size:8.4MB

National Marine Sanctuaries Program Final Inspection Report 
Author(s): U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General 
Document Size:1.9MB

Small Boat Requirements Study, FY2003-FY2013
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Document Size: 360K

Partnerships in the National Marine Sanctuary Program (2004)
Parterships Table:/library/national/partnershipstable.pdf 
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: July 2005
Document Sizes: 80K, 92K

National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Handbook (2010)
Author(s): Office of National Marine Sanctuary
Posted: 2002
Document Sizes: 796K

Pre-Construction Coral Survey of the Wellwood (FL) Grounding Site
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Document Size: 124K


Coordinator Reports


National Marine Sanctuary Program Research Coordinators Meeting Report (2006) 
Author(s): National Marine Sanctuary Program
Posted: February 2006
Document Sizes: 664K

National Marine Sanctuary Program Research Coordinators Meeting Report (2005)
Author(s): NMSP
Conducted: February 2005
Document Sizes: 376K

National Marine Sanctuary Program Research Coordinators Meeting Report (2004)
Author(s): NMSP
Conducted: February 2004
Document Sizes: 244K


Brochure


Channel Islands Shipwreck Brochure 
Author(s): ONMS
Document Size: 1.7 MB

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Brochure 
Author(s): ONMS
Document Size: 2 MB