February 2018 Newsletter

Sea to Shining Sea Newsletter - February 2018

Between African American History Month, Women's History Month, and Marine Debris Month, there's a lot to celebrate in our national marine sanctuaries in February and March! Dive into this month's newsletter to explore these topics at greater depth.

women in a kayak
While how we enjoy our beaches and waters has changed over time, Americans of every background have always enjoyed our nation's coastal areas. Here, Letise LaFeir, former employee and long-time friend of the sanctuary system, enjoys a kayak trip in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Claire Fackler/NOAA

ONMS Celebrates African American History Month with New Story Map

The story map shares stories from the communities and waters across the National Marine Sanctuary System about individuals, extraordinary acts of courage, and enduring traditions that are only a small piece of the larger African American maritime tradition that helped build and shape our nation.

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divers examining seaweed
An invasive seaweed from Japan, S. horneri first entered Channel Island National Marine Sanctuary in 2009. The population ballooned in 2013. Credit: Lindsay Marks

Underwater Landscaping: Foster Scholar Lindsay Marks removes invasive seaweeds around Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

There's an invasion beneath the waves at Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. It’s not an alien invasion — although the invaders themselves are green.

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right whale surfacing
A right whale surfaces in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Peter Flood

Finding sanctuary for right whales: A Q&A with Dr. David Wiley

For years, North Atlantic right whales were hunted for their oil and baleen, which devastated the population. NOAA scientists, resource managers, and partners are working to bring this conservation challenge into focus and to galvanize efforts to save the North Atlantic right whale.

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entangled whale under water
Entangled adult humpback whale with 5 wraps of heavy gauge line wrapped around its tail and trailing hundreds of feet behind. Credit: Verbeck/NOAA MMHSRP (permit # 932-1905-1)

Pop Quiz: How do you disentangle a 40-ton whale from a tangle of gear?

Each year, thousands of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals become entangled in marine debris. The partnership, which includes Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary working closely with NOAA Fisheries, has freed 22 large whales from life-threatening entanglements and recovered more than 9,500 feet of larger gauge line from entangled whales.

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person cleaning up marine debris on the beach next to a laysan albatross chick. they are surrounded by marine debris
Marine debris in places like Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument threatens wildlife. Credit: Ryan Tabata/NOAA

New Toolkit Helps Students and Teachers in the Fight Against Marine Debris

Teachers and students can use this toolkit to conduct marine debris surveys and can enter their data into a national database, analyze monitoring results, and become involved in marine debris stewardship within their communities.

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aerial shot of students next to a whale built from trash
Students at High Tech Middle North County in San Marcos, California celebrated Zero Waste Week by hosting a student project exhibition, where they showcased their life-sized gray whale built from the students' trash from the week. Credit: High Tech Middle North County

Students lead the zero waste movement by combating marine debris

What will the overall health of the ocean look like in the future? In response to the overwhelming presence of plastic pollutants in marine ecosystems, students are taking matters into their own hands by raising awareness about this global environmental issue.

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spanish language portal screenshot
To increase outreach to U.S. Spanish-speaking communities and to share our expertise and practices with our international partners, ONMS has launched a Spanish-language portal on its website.

Sanctuaries Webpage - now ¡en Español!

Spanish is a predominant language in many Sanctuary communities. This portal contains translated information about NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System, programs, partners, marine conservation and education activities, as well as information about the National Marine Protected Areas Center now in Spanish.

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