Santuario Marino Arrecifes del Sureste (Southeastern Reefs Marine Sanctuary, SAMAR)

Second largest protected area in the country (~7,862.59 km2), declared a marine protected area by Decree 571-09 (2009). It is a chain of coral reefs along the southeast coast, comprising the coastal-marine zone from the mouth of the Rio Higuamo (San Pedro de Macoris) east to Cabo Engano and extending to the Mona Channel. As a protected marine area, fishing inside its limits requires a Ministry of Environment permit (Art. 43, Law 307-04); spearfishing restricted/prohibited. Coordinates are a representative coastal-marine center off the SE coast near La Romana / Boca de Yuma.