National Marine Protected Areas Center

New global partnership to elevate marine protected areas as tool in climate response

The United States, United Kingdom, Chile, Costa Rica, and France announced a new global partnership to advance the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as a nature-based solution in the fight against climate change. The announcement comes ahead of the United Nations climate change (COP 26) and biodiversity (COP 15) conferences later this year.

26% marine protected area, 3% No-take marine reserve

COVERAGE OF MPAs IN U.S. WATERS

Marine protected areas cover 26% of U.S. waters. View, query and explore the MPA Inventory, a database that catalogs information on nearly 1,000 marine protected areas in U.S. waters.

Understanding area-based managmement in use waters. Contenct fo the 30x30 marine conservation goal

Informing the 30x30 Conservation Goal

This story map is designed to inform the dialogue around the goal to conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030, and to promote understanding of the complexity of area-based conservation across the ocean and Great Lakes in the U.S.

Marine Protected Areas 2020: Building Effective Conservation Networks

This report and story map summarizes U.S. contributions towards six key aspects of successful marine protected area (MPA) networks. The U.S. has established nearly 1,000 MPAs (as defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)) to protect important places in our ocean, estuaries, coastal waters, and Great Lakes. Scientists and managers have identified the following characteristics for networks of MPAs to achieve conservation outcomes:

Area protected
Ecologically representative
Ecologically connected
Other effective conservation measures (that are not MPAs)
Effectively and equitably managed MPAs
Integrated into the wider seascape

report cover: two diver examining a wreck with many fish swimming around them

Ecological Connectivity for Marine Protected Areas

The role of ecological connectivity in the effective design and management of marine protected area (MPA) networks is gaining attention in the field of marine conservation. This document provides an introduction to ecological connectivity in MPAs while highlighting information needed to fully capitalize on this important ecological process for more effective and resilient MPAs.

report cover: turtle being cleaned by fish

20 YEARS OF STRENGTHENING U.S. MPAs

Learn about our work connecting and strengthening MPAs in the United States and internationally, including managing ocean uses and planning for climate change. Check out our video and webstory.

MANAGING MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

Learn about how MPA programs are meeting the challenges of managing in a changing climate, conserving cultural heritage, and addressing ocean uses.