From the Scientists
The Conservation Series is a NOAA technical publication series hosted by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. It provides a forum to publish reports that focus on complex issues facing the National Marine Sanctuary System.
The mission of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is to identify, designate, protect, and manage the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, educational, or aesthetic resources and qualities of nationally significant coastal and marine areas. National marine sanctuaries differ widely in their natural and historical resources and include nearshore and open ocean areas ranging in size from less than one square mile to more than 582,000 square miles. Protected habitats include rocky coasts, kelp forests, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, estuarine habitats, hard- and soft-bottom habitats, segments of whale migration routes, shipwrecks, and other archaeological and culturally important sites.
Because of considerable differences in ecosystems, resources, and threats, each national marine sanctuary has a tailored management plan. Conservation, education, research, monitoring, and enforcement programs vary accordingly. The integration of these programs is fundamental to marine protected area management. The National Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series reflects and supports this integration by providing a forum for publication and discussion of the complex issues currently facing the National Marine Sanctuary System. Topics of published reports vary substantially and may include descriptions of programs, discussions of resource management issues, and results of scientific or historical research and monitoring projects. The series facilitates integration of natural sciences, socioeconomic and social sciences, education, and policy development to accomplish the diverse needs of NOAA’s resource protection mandate.
