Designate the Ecologically Diverse Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary.
Congratulations
To our Vice Chair Kiera Maloney for being selected to the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) for the proposed National Marine Sanctuary for Hudson Canyon! This three year commitment is a huge deal. We are so proud of you Kiera!
Protect the Hudson Canyon
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is considering Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary. This past summer of 2022, Surfrider NYC worked alongside our partners at Wildlife Conservation Society to make our voices heard during a 60 day comment period. Our chapter gathered nearly 2000 signatures through newsletters, social media, and tabling. We also testified at 3 NOAA hearings in support of the Canyon and published an op-ed in The Rockaway Wave. Read more about the campaign in our blog here.
Hudson Canyon is the largest submarine canyon along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and rivals the depth and scale of the Grand Canyon. This important habitat supports a remarkable abundance and diversity of marine wildlife, (leviathan whales, endangered sea turtles, majestic sharks and tunas, colorful coldwater corals). Many local and commercial fisheries depend on the species that spawn in and around the Canyon.
By designating the Hudson Canyon a National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA would be advancing community-led conservation of nationally significant marine wildlife and their habitat, while also providing research and STEM education opportunities. Sanctuary designation has an opportunity to provide a wide range of benefits for New York and New Jersey residents and for the diversity of marine wildlife in Atlantic waters.
Hudson Canyon is the largest submarine canyon along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and rivals the depth and scale of the Grand Canyon.
