'Get into your sanctuary' this weekend on East Coast, Gulf, Great Lakes
by Scott Croft 17 May 2018 22:48 AEST
BoatUS and NOAA want you to ‘Get Into Your Sanctuary' this weekend © Greg McFall, NOAA / ONMS
As a boating or fishing destination, few places on the planet can compete with the diversity of the National Marine Sanctuary System, which protects America's most iconic natural and cultural marine resources.
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recognizes the importance of marine sanctuaries to the nation's nearly 12 million recreational boater owners and is helping to spread the word about NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries fourth national "Get Into Your Sanctuary" celebration. The event raises awareness of the value of our sanctuaries through a series of local events beginning this weekend May 19–20 in national marine sanctuaries along the East Coast, Gulf, and Great Lakes. The celebration culminates at sites along the West Coast and in Hawaii and American Samoa on Aug. 4–5.
Some of the slated events include free cruises to explore the shipwrecks of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary aboard Lady Michigan, a glass bottomed boat; going on a whale-watch tour off Massachusetts at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary to view some of the world's largest animals; or viewing a Makah Tribe prehistoric archaeological site near Cape Alava at Washington's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. There's also a photo contest.
More information can be found at sanctuaries.noaa.gov/visit/giys.html.