Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are valuable tools for conserving the nation's natural and cultural marine resources as part of an ecosystem approach to management. The United States has many types of MPAs for many purposes, including conservation of natural heritage, cultural heritage and sustainable production. Learn more about the national effort to build an effective national system of marine protected areas.

Protecting Our Planet Video
	Protecting Our Planet highlights why we need the national system of marine protected areas, and features interviews with members of the MPA Federal Advisory Committee, and MPA Center staff.

The National System of Marine Protected Areas
	The U.S. is implementing a comprehensive, science-based and effective national system of MPAs. The national system will include existing MPAs across all levels of government to protect important habitats and resources.

The List of National System MPAs
	The List of National System MPAs is the official inventory of all MPAs that have been formally included in and recognized as part of the National System of MPAs.

Revised by the MPA Webmaster.
Site jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce / NOAA and the U.S. Department of the Interior
http://www.mpa.gov /welcome.html

Marine Protected Areas

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