One way the US protects our marine environment dates back to 1972, when Congress passed into law the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. That bill authorized βthe Secretary of Commerce to designate and protect areas of the marine environment with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational or esthetic qualities as national marine sanctuaries.β Want to learn more? https://womenmindthewater.com/news/what-is-a-national-marine-sanctuary