Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary In Fair Condition, Facing Emerging Threats

[Frankie]

ScienceDaily (Sep. 2, 2008) — A new NOAA report on the health of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary indicates that the overall condition of the sanctuary’s marine life and habitats is fair. The report also identifies several emerging threats to sanctuary resources, including non-indigenous marine species, overfishing, waterborne chemicals from human coastal activities, and increased recreational use of the site.
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary In Fair Condition, Facing Emerging Threats

[seafansar]

You'd think since it was designated in 1981 they'd already have done this "baseline" study. It too bad how politics screw up projects like marine sanctuaries. Ideally scientists would be able to study the site pre- and post- turning it into a sanctuary, and have good data on how the sanctuary is affecting the local ecosystem. But low funds and uncertainty as to where the site will finally be mess with the scientific aspect of sanctuaries.