Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a special place of national significance within NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System. As a large, complex area with numerous potential impacts and threats, it is important to prioritize resource protection efforts. With input received through the public management plan review process and the Sanctuary Advisory Council, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary developed five year management priorities for 2022-2027 to meet the challenges ahead and support the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Five Year Strategic Plan. These priorities include:
Climate Change
Goal: Address coastal resilience, climate adaptation, and ocean acidification through capacity building and collaborative partnerships.
Climate change is occurring in the ocean. The ocean absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. As a result, the chemistry of the seawater is changing, affecting marine life. Sea levels are rising due to melting ice sheets and glaciers in addition to thermal expansion putting coastal areas at greater risk of erosion and storm surge.
Marine Debris
Goal: Assess and reduce the amount of marine debris in or entering Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Plastic items are the most common type of marine debris in the sanctuary. Plastic can enter the marine environment in a variety of ways and sources, including littering and through stormwater runoff. Once in the environment, plastics can further degrade into microplastics. Determining the main sources of marine debris helps target ways to reduce their release into the sanctuary.
Iconic Kelp Forests
Goal: Better understand and monitor kelp status and invest in activities that promote recovery and restoration.
Central California kelp forests have seen a series of compounding stressors contributing to large kelp declines and loss of critical ecosystem function in certain areas. Sanctuary staff and partners are working to restore kelp habitats on the north-central coast.
Vessel Incidents
Goal: Identify solutions that ensure timely and cost-effective cleanup/salvage after a vessel incident, including solutions that ensure the vessel owner takes responsibility.
Every year vessels run ashore, sink, or experience emergency incidents. It is essential that sanctuary staff work with vessel owners and partners to reduce impacts on marine life, habitats, and water quality.
Whale Conservation
Goal: Reduce threats to large whale species in the sanctuary.
Many threatened and endangered populations of whales migrate through sanctuary waters annually. Efforts underway include assessment of threats from noise, ship strikes, entanglement, and wildlife disturbance.
Recreational Fishing
Goal: Promote Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as a great place to recreationally and sustainably fish.
Healthy sanctuary habitats support a wide variety of abundant sport fish. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is committed to supporting and collaborating with the recreational fishing community because of its importance and benefits to coastal economies.