About

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary represents one of North America's most productive marine ecosystems and spectacular undeveloped coastlines.

Designated by NOAA on July 22, 1994, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary includes 3,188 square miles of marine waters off the rugged Olympic Peninsula coastline. The sanctuary extends approximately 25 to 45 miles seaward, covering much of the continental shelf and several major submarine canyons. The sanctuary protects a productive upwelling zoneā€”home to marine mammals and seabirds. Along its shores are thriving kelp and intertidal communities, teeming with fish and other sea life. In the darkness of the seafloor, scattered communities of deep-sea coral and sponges form habitats for fish and other important marine wildlife. The sanctuary has a rich cultural and historical legacy. The vibrant contemporary communities of the Hoh Tribe, Makah Tribe, Quileute Tribe, and the Quinault Indian Nation have forged inseparable ties to the ocean environment, maintaining traditions of the past while they navigate the challenges of the present.

We are all committed to the highest level of public service and our mission:

To protect the Olympic Coast's natural and cultural resources through responsible stewardship, to conduct and apply research to preserve the area's ecological integrity and maritime heritage, and to promote understanding through public outreach and education.

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Fact Sheet