The Foundation would raise private support for NOAA's 12 national marine sanctuaries, and work collaboratively with local sanctuary foundations. A National Marine Sanctuary Foundation chartered by Congress will allow corporate and individual donors to support the exploration, understanding, and conservation of these special places in the sea. Secretary Daley and under secretary Baker would serve as advisors to a board of directors comprised of citizens from across the country. In 1972, Congress created the National Marine Sanctuary Program as an ocean counterpart to the national parks. Today the Department of Commerce 's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration administers 12 marine sanctuaries that protect more than 18,000 square miles of coral reefs, kelp forests, and open ocean.
Marine sanctuaries are home to endangered humpback whales, sea turtles, sea otters, and manatees.
They protect and promote our maritime history. Each year millions of people visit marine sanctuaries to swim, sail, scuba dive, and fish and thousands of students, teachers, and volunteers participate in sanctuary-sponsored activities. Marine sanctuaries can be found near Boston, Miami, Santa Barbara, Calif., San Francisco, Monterey, Calif., Seattle, Savannah, Ga., and Honolulu.