A marine sanctuary is an area of the marine or Great Lakes environment of special national, and sometimes international, significance warranting protection and management by the Federal government. As steward of coastal and ocean resources, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) protects and manages Sanctuaries through the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS).

The mission of the ONMS is to comprehensively protect and manage marine or Great Lakes areas of special national significance to protect their ecological and cultural integrity for the benefit of current and future generations. NOAA uses ecologically sound principles of resource conservation, and develops and implements stewardship, education, and research programs that foster public understanding, support, and participation. Use of sanctuary resources must be consistent with the primary objective of the System, which is resource protection.

Click on the link to download a document version of the entire Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Charter (28K PDF).