Intervention: An Evolving Priority in National Marine Sanctuaries

Intervention refers broadly to human actions that intentionally modify resource characteristics in order to create a desirable state or move away from an undesirable one. Examples in the natural sciences include active species or habitat restoration. In the maritime heritage field, intervention often involves the conservation of artifacts, and for intangible cultural heritage may include the revitalization of languages or traditions. This document shares the perspective of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries on intervention activities as an aspect of national marine sanctuary management. It also provides partners and interested parties with an overview of intervention activities that have occurred within sanctuaries to date. It describes the evolution of approaches and purposes for intervention, beginning with measures that enhance sanctuary resource protection, to ecosystem restoration at a significantly larger scale when it is clear that natural recovery is unlikely. The intent of this report is to inform decision-making about intervention in sanctuaries and support development of partnerships, approaches, and best practices aimed at intervention.

Key Words

Intervention, ecosystem restoration, national marine sanctuaries, marine protected areas, resource protection