Stellwagen Bank: still a sanctuary in name only.

ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY JUST 30 miles east of Boston lies Stellwagen Bank, one of the most productive and diverse marine areas in the North Atlantic. More than 70 species of fish, 30 species of seabirds, and an astonishing variety of marine mammals including harbor seals, dolphins, and humpback, fin, minke, sei and northern right whales inhabit this unique realm. In 1992, in order to protect Stellwagen's fragile ecosystem, Congress designated it a National Marine Sanctuary.

Since then, little has actually been done to protect the ecological balance of this special place; in fact, pressures on marine life in Stellwagen have gotten worse. The area's proximity to the New England coast makes it the target of overuse, including whalewatching, commercial and recreational fishing, and shipping. According to the 2007 Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary Condition Report, marine life is considered to be in only fair or poor condition. Likewise, years of commercial fishing nets dragged over the sea floor have deteriorated the habitat conditions for marine life. Clearly, rather than safeguarding the area from overuse, its "protectors" have allowed Stellwagen to become a commercial and industrial thoroughfare.

"If it's going to be a sanctuary, it needs adequate protections," said CLF's Senior Scientist...