### Question
Can you define what estuarine sanctuary means?


### Answer
**Estuarine sanctuary** is defined as the following in *16 U.S.C. § 1453*:

> a research area which may include any part or all of an estuary and any island, transitional area, and upland in, adjoining, or adjacent to such estuary, and which constitutes to the extent feasible a natural unit, set aside to provide scientists and students the opportunity to examine over a period of time the ecological relationships within the area

#### Citation:
  - *16 U.S.C. § 1453*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 33-COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT**

