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Aired: 9/27/2006
Part 2 of 2. Belief in the resilience of the natural system, especially under water, has never been more verifiable than with the advent of marine protected areas such as the National Marine Sanctuaries. Jean-Michel Cousteau and his crew team up with scientists, naturalists and policy makers to reveal to stunning beauty and critical importance of these underwater natural treasures. Sailing to, and diving beneath thirteen 'parks' within the National Marine Sanctuary system, the team will reveal worlds little known and rarely visited along America's shorelines. Some sanctuaries are vital undersea habitats, historical sites and endangered reefs. Others are rich bays, banks and seamounts, and the breeding waters for critical ocean species such as rare sea turtles and the great whales. By visually experiencing the most up-to-date scientific review of each sanctuary, we begin to appreciate by the arcs between them that they are connected in a vast, unified system. A system that is, though nevertheless 'protected,' vulnerable. Narrated by Robert Redford.