This report outlines the potential impacts of coastal protection structures on the resources of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. At least 15 miles of the Sanctuary's 300-mile shoreline are currently armored with seawalls and riprap revetments. Most of these coastal protection structures are placed above the mean high tide line, the official boundary of the Sanctuary, yet some influences of armoring impinge on the marine realm and on recreational use. In addition, continued sea level rise and accompanying coastal retreat will force many of these structures below the high tide line over time. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff has recognized the significance of coastal armoring, identifying it as a critical issue in the Coastal Armoring Action Plan of the draft Joint Management Plan.

Ambient noise in the ocean is a topic that has been widely studied since the 1940s. Over the last 25 years the effects of noise on marine organisms has become a concern. The primary issue has been the potential of noise to adversely affect marine mammals. The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) and upper estuary of the St. Lawrence River are sites where the degradation of habitat due to increasing noise levels is a concern because they are feeding grounds and summer havens for numerous species of marine mammals. In an effort to provide information for better sanctuary management this report describes the current understanding of ambient noise and existing levels of ambient noise and its relationship to marine mammals in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the designated marine park area of the Upper St. Lawrence River Estuary.

This project proposes a series of regulatory changes intended to resolve inconsistencies in regulatory language and enhance resource protection within the three central and northern California National Marine Sanctuaries.

This is a new release of the original 1961 edition.