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 coralOculina varicosacharacterizes
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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