national marine sanctuaries logoNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration logo Earth Is Blue Magazine
photo of a manatee and baby manatee

Manatees can be found in Florida Keys National Mareine Sanctuary. Photo: Bob Bonde/USGS

  1. Home
  2. Life in the Blue
  3. Endangered Species

Endangered Species

The protected waters of the National Marine Sanctuary System provide safe haven for many endangered species, including manatees. In the winter months, manatees are often found in shallow, quiet waters of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary where seagrass beds or vegetation flourish. Because they are slow-moving, manatees are often struck by boats, which can injure or kill them. But protections offered by the sanctuary and other locations on the Florida coast have been a boon to these gentle creatures. Since 1991, the number of manatees in Florida has grown from 1,200 to more than 6,300, prompting their reclassification from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

An estimated 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals live in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, but this population is still at risk due to limited food availability, entanglement in marine debris, and habitat disturbance. Since 2007, Papahānaumokuākea, with help from grants from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, has funded the removal of more than 50 tons of abandoned fishing gear annually from coral reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in order to help this highly endangered species survive. By helping create safer habitats, the National Marine Sanctuary System gives endangered species the opportunities they need to regain a foothold.

photo of a monk seal up close

Hawaiian monk seals live in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Photo: NOAA

 

Abundance of Life

photo of a whale

Explore the Blue

photo of diver and camera
  • Home
  • Our Blue Heritage
  • Get into the Blue
  • Connections in the Blue
  • Life in the Blue
  • Explore the Blue
  • The Blue and You
  • Acknowledgements
  • Sanctuaries Website

Earth Is Blue Magazine

Our Blue Heritage

Get into the Blue

Connections in the Blue

Life in the Blue

Explore the Blue

The Blue and You

Acknowledgements

Website Navigation

Home

Visit

News

Explore

Learn

Get Involved

Photos & Videos

About

Contact

Stay Connected

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • tumblr
  • rss
  • Disclaimer
  • Information Quality
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • Privacy Policy
  • User Survey

Website owner: National Ocean Service | NOAA | Department of Commerce