Courtesy Photo Cassandra Sadler, resource protection specialist for Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, speaks to the Alpena Lions Club.

ALPENA ­– Alpena Lion Dave Zeller introduced Cassandra Sadler of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary at last week’s meeting.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 2000 and is one of 15 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine sanctuaries nationwide. The first designated freshwater marine sanctuary covers 4,300 square miles and contains at least 100 discovered shipwrecks.

Buoys currently mark 52 wreck sites within the sanctuary. Twelve of these sites are designated deep water sites, where only certified/qualified divers can view the protected wrecks. There are shallow wrecks that have been viewed from the Lady Michigan glass-bottom boat tours, kayakers, paddle boaters, and by snorkeling enthusiasts. The sanctuary attracts divers worldwide and continues to grow in popularity.

In the spring of 2022, NOAA instituted a freshwater acidification monitoring project to track the effects of acidic water. This first-of-its-kind study will be used to understand the effects on wreck sites and help design counter measures to protect the sites.

NOAA is working in conjunction with Viking Expeditions and will host two ships, Octantis and Polaris, for a total of 20 Alpena port visits in 2023.

With the removal of COVID restrictions, NOAA will host the Regional R.O.V. Mate competition this year on May 20. NOAA is also promoting educational opportunities this year to Alpena third-grade students. A total of four workshops are scheduled that will provide a greater appreciation of the sanctuary while offering an interactive learning experience.

The Alpena Lions Club was given “a tease” of information with respect to the wreck of the Ironton. Pictures of the wreck clearly showed the masts, rigging and lifeboat still attached to the ship as it rests on the bottom of Lake Huron. The Alpena Lions thanked Sadler for addressing the group and look forward to learning more about the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.