Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA, the state of Maryland, and Charles County announced the designation of a new national marine sanctuary to protect the remains of more than 100 abandoned steamships and vessels built as part of America’s engagement in World War I. Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary, about 40 miles south of Washington, D.C., is the first national marine sanctuary designated since 2000.

Get Into Your Sanctuary Day at Gray’s Reef

This year NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is hosting its fifth national “Get into Your Sanctuary” celebration to raise awareness about the value of our national marine sanctuaries as iconic destinations for responsible recreation through a series of special activities. These events will begin over the long weekend of August 2-4, 2019 across the National Marine Sanctuary System – from sea to shining sea.

Friday, August 2, 2019
Learn About Diving in Gray’s Reef
Join us at the Southern Dive Center in Statesboro, GA to learn about diving in Gray’s Reef, including experiencing virtual reality dives of this national marine sanctuary.

Saturday, August 3, 2019
There will be a variety of activities surrounding Gray’s Reef for “Get Into Your Sanctuary” weekend! They include diving in Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, driving by the Nancy Foster, a NOAA Research Vessel operating at Gray’s Reef, and meeting in the ocean with a member of the Gray’s Reef science team to learn about research being conducted in this national marine sanctuary.

Sunday, August 4, 2019
Activities from Saturday will continue into Sunday for “Get Into Your Sanctuary” Weekend. They include diving in Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and driving by the Nancy Foster, a NOAA Research Vessel operating at Gray’s Reef.

For more information on Diving at Gray’s Reef, click HERE

Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest

Show the world what Gray’s Reef mean to you!

In celebration of national Get Into Your Sanctuary events, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is hosting a photo contest. From May 25 through September 2, send us your best photos and help us celebrate the beauty and importance of these special places.

Winning photos will be featured in next year’s Earth Is Blue Magazine and on the Earth Is Blue social media campaign.

Staff Changes at Gray’s Reef 

There has been a strategic realignment of priorities at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and as a result, Jody Patterson is no longer with us at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. We appreciate Jody’s good work and your dedicated volunteer service, and we look forward to your continued engagement. Temporarily, our Acting Superintendent, Marybeth Head, will be the point person for volunteer activities, requests, and questions. Please feel free to reach out to Marybeth at (912) 598-2432 or email her at marybeth.head@noaa.gov.

5th Annual: A Fishy Affair Event

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation invites you to join us for the 5th Annual A Fishy Affair on Friday, September 27 at The Landings Plantation Club.

This festive event features incredible local chefs preparing their own unique appetizer dish highlighting sustainable fish as well as the invasive malicious, but delicious lionfish.

Enjoy a full dinner, entertainment, a lively silent and live auction, and cash bar.

2019 Celebrity Chefs: 
Sam Brod, The Landings Club
Gearry Caudell, Culinary Institute of Savannah
Chris Hathcock, Husk
Jin Kang, The Landings Club
Patrick McNamara, Noble Fare 
Jean-Yves Vendeville, Culinary Institute of Savannah, Knight of the French Order

Tickets: $100
All proceeds to benefit Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

For more information and registration, click HERE