Case Studies
This
collection of case studies represents a cross section of the
different types of sites listed in the Marine Managed Area
Inventory on this Web page. The case studies examine the history
behind a site's designation as a marine managed area, discuss
the techniques used to manage the site's resources, and identify
major management issues facing the site. The case studies
include two national marine sanctuaries, one managed for its
biological value and one for its cultural resources, a national
estuarine research reserve, and an experimental fisheries
management area. Eventually, case studies for each type of
federally managed site and different varieties of state and
territorial sites will be included.
A special feature of each case study is a narrated slide show
that captures the beauty, uses, and management issues associated
with each marine protected area. Click on the camera icon (
) to view the slide show for a specific
case study.
Thunder
Bay National Marine Sanctuary
View slide
show.
The waters and bottom lands of Lake Huron's Thunder Bay were
designated as a national marine sanctuary in 2000 to protect
the many shipwrecks of the region. In petitioning the state
and federal governments to protect this area, residents of the
nearby city of Alpena, Michigan recognized the cultural value
of these vessels that represent a significant collection of
maritime history. However, loss of local control of the area
was also a concern of many citizens. These concerns helped to
forge a unique management partnership for the newest national
marine sanctuary.
Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary
View
slide show.
The Florida Keys island chain supports an offshore marine
ecosystem that is the most extensive living coral reef in
the United States and the third largest barrier reef in the
world. The beauty and climate of this region has attracted
explorers, settlers, and tourists for centuries. With them
came damage to reefs, seagrass beds, water quality and fisheries
of the region. A groundswell of public sentiment for protecting
the archipelago's offshore reefs culminated in 1990 when an
act of Congress designated 2800 square nautical miles of state
and federal waters as a national marine sanctuary. Innovative
management techniques, such as marine zoning, are at work
in the Keys, helping to protect and restore its natural resources.
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South
Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
View
slide show.
The South Slough of Oregon's Coos Bay estuary benefited from
a wave of public sentiment supporting environmental stewardship
when it was first designated a national estuarine research reserve
in 1974. Some areas surrounding the estuary had been heavily
logged at the time, and some wetland areas had been diked. However,
supporters of the reserve envisioned the area reverting to a
more pristine and natural condition, offering enhanced protection
to marine and estuarine species. Since the creation of the reserve,
management plans have sought to restrict the most intensive
commercial uses and restore natural processes, while ensuring
that South Slough is available for public recreational use.
Experimental
Oculina Research Reserve
View
slide show.
A unique and fragile ivory tree coral—Oculina varicosa—characterizes
the Experimental Oculina Research Reserve (EORR), located fifteen
to thirty miles off the east coast of Florida. The habitat was
once associated with extraordinarily-rich biodiversity. By the
early 1990s, however, this deep-sea coral habitat was virtually
decimated in many places, probably the result of destructive
and unchecked fishing practices, though other causes have been
implicated as well. Currently, the EORR is closed to fishing
and other activities as scientists attempt to reestablish the
Oculina habitat and replenish the fisheries.
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