National Marine Protected Areas Center: About Marine Protected Areas

About Marine Protected Areas

Chances are you've visited a marine protected area and don't know it. If you've gone fishing in central California, diving in the Florida Keys, camping in Acadia, swimming in Cape Cod, snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, birding in Weeks Bay, hiking along the Olympic Coast, or boating in Thunder Bay, you've probably been one of thousands of visitors to a marine protected area (MPA).

Definition

Some people interpret marine protected areas to mean areas closed to all human activities. Others interpret them as special areas established for conservation, but allowing specific recreation and commercial uses, much like national parks. In reality, "marine protected area" is a term that encompasses a variety of conservation and management methods in the United States.

Case Studies

This collection of case studies represents a cross section of the different types of sites listed in the MPA Inventory. The case studies examine the history behind a site's designation as a marine protected area, discuss the techniques used to manage the site's resources, and identify major management issues facing the site. The case studies include two national marine sanctuaries, one managed for its biological value and one for its cultural resources, a national estuarine research reserve, and an experimental fisheries management area.

Classification

The National Marine Protected Areas Center has developed a Classification System that provides agencies and stakeholders with a straightforward means to describe MPAs in purely functional terms using five objective characteristics common to most MPAs: 1) conservation focus; 2) level of protection; 3) permanence of protection; 4) constancy of protection; and 5) ecological scale of protection.

Get Involved

Find more information about things you can do to help our oceans and marine protected areas.

Links

Framework for the National System of MPAs
MPA Programs
About the MPA Center
U.S. Classification System
Fact Sheets

For More Information
Write to mpainfo@noaa.gov

MPA NOAA
About MPAs MPAs MPA Programs MPA Center Executive Order 13158 Get Involved National System Benefits Framework Nomination Process Identifying Conservation Gaps Public Participation List of National System Sites Cultural Heritage MPAs International MPA Effectiveness Gulf of Mexico MPA Network Data & Analysis MPA Inventory Mapping Ocean Uses De Facto MPAs Analysis of U.S. MPAs Maps Resources MPA Library Resources MPA Center Publications Education FAQs Multimedia News MPA Training Webinars Glossary Archives Science & Stewardship Mapping Ocean Uses Cultural Heritage MPAs Identifying Conservation Gaps GIS Navigating MPAs MPA Effectiveness Climate Change Impacts MPA Science Advisory Committee Meetings Membership Bios Structure Charter Products History

About MPAs MPA Definition MPA Case Studies MPA Classification	About Marine Protected Areas > About MPAs Chances are you've visited a marine protected area and don't know it. If you've gone fishing in central California, diving in the Florida Keys, camping in Acadia, swimming in Cape Cod, snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, birding in Weeks Bay, hiking along the Olympic Coast, or boating in Thunder Bay, you've probably been one of thousands of visitors to a marine protected area (MPA). Definition Some people interpret marine protected areas to mean areas closed to all human activities. Others interpret them as special areas established for conservation, but allowing specific recreation and commercial uses, much like national parks. In reality, "marine protected area" is a term that encompasses a variety of conservation and management methods in the United States. Case Studies This collection of case studies represents a cross section of the different types of sites listed in the MPA Inventory. The case studies examine the history behind a site's designation as a marine protected area, discuss the techniques used to manage the site's resources, and identify major management issues facing the site. The case studies include two national marine sanctuaries, one managed for its biological value and one for its cultural resources, a national estuarine research reserve, and an experimental fisheries management area. Classification The National Marine Protected Areas Center has developed a Classification System that provides agencies and stakeholders with a straightforward means to describe MPAs in purely functional terms using five objective characteristics common to most MPAs: 1) conservation focus; 2) level of protection; 3) permanence of protection; 4) constancy of protection; and 5) ecological scale of protection. Get Involved Find more information about things you can do to help our oceans and marine protected areas. Links Framework for the National System of MPAs MPA Programs About the MPA Center U.S. Classification System Fact Sheets For More Information Write to mpainfo@noaa.gov

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