Management Plan Revision

Colorful sponges and soft corals grow upwards from an ocean reef while fish swim in the background.
The sanctuary's management plan is revised on a regular basis to maximize the protection of marine resources. Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary will initiate revision of its management plan in October 2026, and relies on public input and recommendations from partners, stakeholders, and the Sanctuary Advisory Council to help shape future management activities.

Over the last decade, sanctuary resources and environmental conditions have changed, creating new challenges and requirements for protecting resources and facilitating compatible use. At the same time, new tools for effective management have emerged, driven by scientific advances, technological innovation, and new partnerships. A re-evaluation of requirements and approaches, both current and future, will ensure that the sanctuary and its partners are making the most effective use of programmatic resources.

Public engagement is central to NOAA's community-based approach to managing sanctuaries. We will solicit public input at multiple stages throughout the two-year revision process.

Management Plan Revision Process

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is revising the management plan for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The present plan was issued in 2014, and a rapid management plan review completed in 2019 concluded that no urgent or immediate revisions to the 2014 management plan or regulations were needed at that time.

Public engagement is central to NOAA's community-based approach to managing sanctuaries. NOAA solicits public input at multiple stages throughout the revision process.

Current status

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries revised the sanctuary's condition report in 2025. The condition report sheds light on the status and trends of the sanctuary's marine resources, human activities, and ecosystem services. This reveals emerging issues of concern for potential management consideration. The previous condition report was published in 2008 and amended in 2012.

  1. Sanctuary condition report (Spring 2025)
  2. 45-day public scoping period (Oct. - Nov. 2026)
  3. Sanctuary Advisory Council input during 45-day scoping period (Oct. - Nov. 2026)
  4. Initiate development of draft management plan, and associated draft environmental review and rulemaking documents (Dec. 2026)
  5. Release draft management plan and associated draft environmental review and rulemaking support documents (Dec. 2027)
  6. 45-day public review and comment on draft documents (Dec. 2027 - Feb. 2028)
  7. Initiate development of final management plan and associated final environmental review and rulemaking support documents (Feb. 2028)
  8. Publish final management plan and associated environmental review and rulemaking documents (Dec. 2028)
  9. Initiate implementation of new management plan and any associated regulations (Jan. - Feb. 2029)

Want to stay informed?

Keep up to date on the management plan revision process, ask questions, and receive notifications when there are opportunities for public comment by following the sanctuary's email list or social media channels.

For more information please see our Management Plan FAQ webpage.

You may also attend public meetings of the Sanctuary Advisory Council, at which the management plan revision will be a regularly discussed topic throughout the process. For meeting details, check the advisory council webpage or contact the resource protection coordinator.