National Marine Sanctuary System

Safeguarding America's Premier Marine Places

From Washington state to the Gulf of America and from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Islands, the National Marine Sanctuary System protects 18 underwater parks spanning over 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. By investing in innovative solutions, we strengthen these iconic places against 21st-century challenges while supporting America’s commerce and tourism. These unique locations inspire people to visit, value, and steward our nation’s iconic ocean and Great Lakes places.