Encompassing over 1,700 square miles of state waters in Southeastern Lake Ontario, the new Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary protects historic shipwrecks and cultural marine resources in the region, and is expected to significantly contribute to the region’s tourism industry. The Sanctuary will be jointly administered by NOAA and New York State, with the U.S. Coast Guard providing a key enforcement and protection role.

Great Lakes Scientific Support Coordinator Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Chris Duffy represented NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration at the event. Duffy was one of five members of the NOAA in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Team in attendance. The Great Lakes collaboration team, part of NOAA’s Regional Collaboration Network, is a partnership between the six NOAA line offices operating in the region and NOAA’s core partners, with a mission to facilitate multidisciplinary planning and execution on regional priorities; share information and mobilize capabilities across NOAA and throughout the country; and engage stakeholders. At the event, LCDR Duffy also shared information about recently released Environmental Sensitivity Index maps and data in the Great Lakes with the public and partners.