How National Marine Sanctuaries Fuel Local Economies
By Rachel Plunkett
January 2025
When you imagine a visit to the ocean, beach, or Great Lakes, you might picture relaxing or recreating in a beautiful, natural environment. Some of America's most recognized underwater treasures are found in the National Marine Sanctuary System—and sanctuaries couldn't exist without the communities and businesses who support them.
Businesses located in and near sanctuary communities play important roles in the protection of marine resources by promoting sustainable use and responsible recreation and tourism, and helping to raise public awareness about research and conservation efforts. Without those businesses, travelers would have nowhere to stay or eat when visiting the sanctuary, no guided tours on the water to learn about local wildlife, and no way of renting boats, paddleboards, or snorkeling equipment to get out on (or in) the water and explore. Likewise, healthy marine protected areas are good for business—people travel from all over the world to visit national marine sanctuaries and enjoy activities such as whale watching and fishing—and the money they spend while visiting trickles throughout the local economy. National marine sanctuaries also protect critical habitats for commercially valuable fish species, which also boosts local economies.
In 2021, America's marine economy saw a 7.4% growth in its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). Tourism and recreation provided the greatest value added ($153 billion). Marine-based recreation and sustainable tourism also employ millions of people across the nation. Across the National Marine Sanctuary System, billions of dollars are generated in local coastal and ocean-dependent economies from diverse activities like wildlife viewing, paddle sports, scuba diving, boating, and recreational fishing.
“From restaurants and hotels, to aquariums and nature centers, to dive operators and fishing guides, national marine sanctuaries support thousands of jobs in the recreation and tourism economy,” said John Armor, director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. “We continue to work to improve visitor experiences, enhance our public-private partnerships, and generate interest in marine conservation and sustainable use.”
Place-Based Conservation
Just like the prestigious status of a U.S. national park entices people from all over the world to get out and explore each one, national marine sanctuaries put places on the map as global marine tourism destinations. By attracting visitors who want to enjoy the local culture, seafood, surf breaks, beaches, and water sports, heightened awareness of the unique natural resources and communities associated with each sanctuary builds the grassroots support for their continued conservation. This is known as place-based conservation.
At the community level, national marine sanctuary advisory councils are community-based advisory groups established to provide advice and recommendations to the superintendents of sites across the system. Depending on the sanctuary, members may represent interests such as conservation, education, research, recreational and commercial fishing, whale watching, diving, boating, shipping, maritime business, agriculture, and maritime heritage.
Encouraging Responsible Tourism and Recreation
The National Marine Sanctuary System promotes responsible recreation and tourism in America's most treasured underwater places. The goal of marine sanctuaries is to balance the protection of marine ecosystems and maritime history, while allowing enjoyment and responsible resource use. The majority of waters within our nation's marine sanctuaries are open for sustainable recreation, including fishing, surfing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, tidepooling, and visiting educational centers. We want people to come and responsibly visit these incredible places—America's underwater parks—while also developing a sense of stewardship so future generations can enjoy them too.
Your national marine sanctuaries contribute to the “blue economy,” and many industries have begun to see the value in marine conservation as it relates to both profit and customer satisfaction. Hotels, tour boat operators, restaurants, and other businesses located in travel hotspots benefit when the coral reefs and kelp forests are healthy, fish are abundant, and the water is clean and clear. After all, these are the attributes that attract tourists in the first place!
“A healthy ocean is vital for the wellbeing of people because it's a key factor in areas like climate action, food security, livelihoods, biodiversity, recreation, and tourism,” said Marie Fukudome, director of environmental affairs at Hyatt Corporation. “We hope to contribute to collaborative action as well as apply key learnings and best practices to Hyatt's ongoing initiatives in this area.”
Continuing Conservation
Each national marine sanctuary has unique ecosystems, resources, and human uses, each of which are managed on a site level, but are part of a broader system. Many species protected under U.S. law and international treaties can be found throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System, but also move freely throughout the ocean. We work with other U.S. government agencies and international partners to align place-based and species-based conservation efforts within U.S. waters and beyond. We want to broaden our reach and get more people involved with conservation efforts. To be successful, we must look at things through the eyes of our constituents—the people we wish to engage—and find the messages and opportunities that appeal to them.
“We believe that marine and terrestrial parks remain our best tool for safeguarding wildlife and wild places, said Elissa Foster, senior manager of product responsibility at Patagonia. “Patagonia has advocated for the protection of wild places since its founding.”
Supporting Compatible Use
While the majority of sanctuary waters are open to recreational fishing, each sanctuary has its own regulations for commercial fishing and harvesting, which are determined during the designation process and the management plan review process, based on research findings and the specific environmental needs of the area. For this reason, several sanctuaries have commercial and recreational fishing seats on their advisory councils to inform management and liaise between the sanctuary and the fishing community.
Many members of the fishing community recognize that conservation is necessary in order to maintain healthy fish stocks for future generations. Dave Bulthuis, president of Pure Fishing, is an advocate for conservation and believes that “increasing access to great boating and fishing for all Americans is a critical component to growing participation and offering exciting and memorable outdoor experiences.”
Because fishing is so important to the economies and cultures of America's national marine sanctuaries, many local anglers are serious about fishing responsibly and following regulations.
Captain Will Benson has been a fishing guide in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary since he was 19 years old. Benson says he has witnessed an increase in recreational boat traffic in his home waters, and ecological changes that have caused certain fish populations to decline. "My hope for the future is that managers will continue to follow the science and increase their support for law enforcement to uphold the regulations that are in place," Benson says.
Across all national marine sanctuaries, local coastal and ocean-dependent economies benefit from diverse activities like recreational fishing, marine research, and tourism. The National Marine Sanctuary System supports compatible use, and encourages everyone to experience and enjoy their national marine sanctuaries. Sanctuary adjacent communities and businesses play an important role in conserving and celebrating America's underwater treasures.
Natural and Cultural Resource Management
Some national marine sanctuaries are part of tribal cultural land and waterscapes—places with past and present significance to the cultural beliefs, customs, and practices of Indigenous People. Our Maritime Heritage Program is not only involved in the protection of the submerged remains of the past (e.g., cultural, historical, and archaeological resources), but also in increasing appreciation of the many different types of human connections to the sea.
Sherry Rupert, CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association works to elevate native voices and is an advocate for increasing travel and tourism opportunities as an economic driver in tribal nations. “So many of our nation's coastal regions and marine parks have deep ties to Native American culture and heritage,” said Rupert.
NOAA is committed to working with the Indigenous Peoples who are connected to these coastal regions.
A Shared Future: Protecting Sanctuaries, Supporting Communities
National marine sanctuaries are more than just beautiful places—they are hubs of ecological, cultural, and economic vitality. By safeguarding marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable use, sanctuaries fuel local economies while ensuring these underwater treasures endure for generations to come.
From creating jobs in tourism and recreation to preserving critical habitats for fisheries, sanctuaries exemplify how conservation and economic growth can go hand in hand. By working together—businesses, visitors, scientists, and local communities—we can continue to protect these special places, celebrate their cultural significance, and inspire stewardship that supports a thriving blue economy.
Whether you're enjoying a guided dive, spotting whales, or simply soaking in the beauty of the ocean, your experience is part of a larger story—one where vibrant marine sanctuaries and thriving communities grow together.
Rachel Plunkett is the content manager and senior writer/editor at NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries