Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument
| Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument | |
|---|---|
|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
 | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Area | 4,913 square miles (12,720 km2) |
| Created | September 15, 2016 |
| Governing body | U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Commerce |
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a marine national monument of the United States off the coast of New England, on the edge of Georges Bank. It was created by President Barack Obama on September 15, 2016. It is the first U.S. national marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean.[1] [2]
Geography and geology
The National Monument protects several underwater seamounts (Bear, Mytilus, Physalia, and Retriever Seamounts) and three submarine canyons in the edge of the continental shelf (Oceanographer, Lydonia, and Gilbert).[3]
Biology and ecology
The area is home to rare and endangered species, including sperm whales, fin whales, sei whales and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.[4]
References
- ↑ Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (PDF). The Pew Charitable Trusts. 2016.
- ↑ "Obama to Create First Marine National Monument in the Atlantic" NBC News, 15 September 2016, Accessed 16 September 2016.
- ↑ "Secretaries Pritzker, Jewell Applaud President's Designation of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument". U.S. Department of the Interior. September 15, 2016.
- ↑ "FACT SHEET: President Obama to Continue Global Leadership in Combatting Climate Change and Protecting Our Ocean by Creating the First Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean" (Press release). WhiteHouse.gov. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
Coordinates: 39°42′13″N 67°10′11″W / 39.70361°N 67.16972°W
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