The second in a series of marine sanctuary books edited by Florida Sea Grant marine extension agent Maia McGuire has now been published.
“Explore the West Coast National Marine Sanctuaries” is available through Ocean Publishing, a publisher located in Flagler Beach, Fla., who approaced McGuire about compiling materials for the series. The 350-page book has been produced in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society.
It profiles the five national marine sanctuaries on the U.S. West Coast — Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, Cordell Bank, and Olympic Coast.
According to McGuire, for each sanctuary, there are sections describing why it was selected for designation, its important habitats and species, the research being conducted there, emerging environmental issues, and information about visiting it.
“The books are full of photographs provided by the National Marine Sanctuary system and Ocean Futures Society, so they are attractive and colorful as well as informative,” McGuire said.
The first book in the series is titled “Explore the Southeast National Marine Sanctuaries.” The third book in the series, due out later this year, will be titled “Exploring the Northeast National Marine Sanctuaries.”