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marine sanctuary

Definition

A marine sanctuary is an area of the ocean that is protected from human activities. This means that no fishing, mining, or other development is allowed in a marine sanctuary. Marine sanctuaries are created to protect marine life and the ocean environment.

There are many different types of marine sanctuaries, each with its own purpose. Some marine sanctuaries are designed to protect specific species of marine life, while others are designed to protect entire ecosystems. Marine sanctuaries can be found in all parts of the ocean, from the shallow waters near the shore to the deep ocean trenches.

Marine sanctuaries are important for a number of reasons. They help to protect marine life from overfishing, pollution, and other threats. They also help to preserve ocean ecosystems and the diversity of life that they support. Marine sanctuaries can also be used for educational and recreational purposes.

How can the word be used?

The government has established a marine sanctuary to protect the coral reefs.

marine sanctuary

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • An area of ocean or sea that is protected from human activities in order to conserve marine life and habitats.

Adjective:

  • Relating to or protected by a marine sanctuary.

Etymology

The word "marine sanctuary" comes from the words "marine", which means "of or relating to the sea", and "sanctuary", which means "a place of refuge or safety".

The word "marine sanctuary" was first used in English in the 1970s. It was originally used to describe areas of ocean that were protected from fishing and other human activities in order to conserve marine life, but it soon came to be used in a more general sense to describe any area of ocean that is protected for environmental reasons.

Question

What is a marine sanctuary and why are they important?