Marine National Monuments

Marine national monuments safeguard precious ocean ecosystems. They also preserve biodiversity, cultural heritage, and essential marine environments for future generations.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Pacific Islands

About Marine National Monuments

Marine national monuments are designated to protect and conserve some of the last remaining relatively pristine ocean ecosystems.

We manage five marine national monuments in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners. Four are located in the Pacific Islands region:

We also manage the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument located about 130 miles east-southeast of Cape Cod in the Atlantic Ocean.

Map of the four marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Map of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Importance of Monuments

Marine national monuments protect areas of outstanding resource biodiversity. This protection ensures we all can benefit from the unmatched scientific, cultural, and aesthetic values of these precious areas for years to come.

By designating these areas as Marine National Monuments, the United States ensures that the marine environments receive the highest level of environmental recognition and conservation.

How We Protect These Areas

NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manage human activities in the area through permitting, ensuring environmental compliance. We also coordinate scientific exploration and research programs within the monuments. Together we collaborate with federal and regional partners to develop 15-year strategic goals that:

Conserve and protect monument resources, including its wildlife, habitats, ocean floor, ecosystems, and geology
Provide Indigenous peoples with monument access for culturally significant uses
Minimize threats from human activity and ensure resources are not degraded
Promote scientific research and exploration
Increase the public’s connection to monuments through educational programs
Optimize management through effective staffing, partnership, and community strategies

Although specific actions may differ from one monument to another, the overarching goals for all monuments are the same.

What We Can Learn from Monument Research

A diver surveys coral reef fish species at Jarvis Island in the Pacific Ocean. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Kelvin Gorospe

Exploring and conducting research allows us to improve our knowledge of marine resources and understand the effects of climate change to inform science-based management. Our scientific research and surveys in marine national monuments focus on providing a deeper understanding and breadth of knowledge about complex ecosystems and marine physical, geological, and biochemical processes.

Our regional fisheries science centers and other NOAA partners carry out research with federal, state, and local agencies and the academic community. We use tools, including research vessels, submersibles, and autonomous and remotely operated vehicles to explore the monuments while minimizing impacts to physical and biological environments.

Much remains to be discovered about these unique, isolated environments and their geological, ecological, cultural, and biological resources.

Difference Between Marine Protected Areas, Marine Sanctuaries, and Marine Monuments

Aerial view of ocean and islands. Marine Protected Areas are designed to provide lasting protection for marine environments. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Marine protected areas encompass several types of marine conservation areas, including marine national monuments and national marine sanctuaries. These areas of seas, oceans, estuaries or large lakes are often set aside to manage human activities for a conservation purpose, typically to protect natural or cultural resources. Here is the official definition:

Any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, territorial, tribal, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.

Marine protected areas, monuments, and sanctuaries are established under different legal authorities:

Marine protected areas can be designated through local, state, or federal authorities in response to proposals
Sanctuaries are designated through the Federal National Marine Sanctuary Act process
Monuments are designated by Presidential Proclamation via the Antiquities Act

Learn more about the differences between monuments and sanctuaries

Last updated by Office of Communications on 01/06/2025