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Environment Main Global Warming Natural Disasters Habitats FRESHWATER

Photo Gallery: U.S. Marine Protected Areas

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A school of fish cruises by red coral in Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Georgia. Covering 23 square miles (59 square kilometers) in the Atlantic Ocean, Gray's Reef is an unusual combination of rocky ledges and sandy flats that alternate to create a series of caves and cliffs. These features provide a platform for sponges, barnacles, sea fans, hard coral, sea stars, crabs, lobsters, snails, and shrimp. The reef is also home to several fish species and the threatened loggerhead turtle, and is the only known winter calving ground for the endangered right whale. Photograph by Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures