About the National Marine Protected Areas Center
The National MPA Center was established in 2000, soon after Executive Order 13158 went into effect. The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of the Interior implement the Executive Order through the National MPA Center. The MPA Center is located within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the Department of Commerce, and is a division of NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.
Mission
The National Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center's mission is to facilitate the effective use of science, technology, training, and information in the planning, management, and evaluation of the nation's system of marine protected areas.
The National MPA Center works in partnership with federal, state, tribal, and local governments, tribes, and stakeholders to develop a science-based, comprehensive national system of MPAs. These collaborative efforts will lead to a more efficient, effective use of MPAs now and in the future to conserve and sustain the nation's vital marine resources.
Goals
The National MPA Center has three goals. These are derived from the Executive Order and the NOAA Strategic Plan.
- Build and maintain the National System of MPAs
- Improve MPA stewardship and effectiveness
- Facilitate international, national, and regional coordination of MPA activities.
To carry out these goals, the MPA Center is working to:
- develop the framework for the national system of MPAs,
- support the MPA Federal Advisory Committee,
- manage national, regional, and international MPA coordination,
- conduct outreach and education,
- consult with federal agencies, state agencies, tribes, Fishery Management Councils, and others,
- maintain the U.S. MPA website, and
- oversee the collection of data for the marine protected areas inventory.
For More Information
To request information, write to mpainfo@noaa.gov.
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