MPA Federal Programs

Department of Commerce: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the Department of Commerce, conducts research and gathers data about the global oceans, atmosphere, space, and sun, and applies this knowledge to science and service that touch the lives of all Americans.

National Marine Sanctuary Program (National Ocean Service) manages and protects specially designated areas of the nation’s oceans and Great Lakes for their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, cultural, archeological, scientific, educational, or esthetic qualities.

National Estuarine Research Reserve System (National Ocean Service) is a network of protected areas established for long-term research, education and stewardship. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a federal/state partnership.

Office of Sustainable Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service) oversees and implements steps to maintain healthy stocks, eliminate overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks, increase long-term economic and social benefits to the nation from living marine resources, and promote the development of robust and economically sound aquaculture.

Office of Protected Resources (National Marine Fisheries Service) provides program oversight, national policy direction, and guidance on the conservation of those marine mammals and endangered species, and their habitats, under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce; develops national guidelines and policies for relevant protected resources programs; and provides oversight, advice and guidance on scientific aspects of managing protected species and marine protected areas.

Office of Habitat Conservation (National Marine Fisheries Service) helps manage, conserve, and enhance habitats for fishery resources, protected species, and other living marine resources.

Department of the Interior

Since its creation in 1849, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has evolved into the nation's conservation agency for over 450 million acres of federal lands and more than 3 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf. The Department of the Interior's mission is to protect and provide access to our nation's natural and cultural heritage, and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and our commitments to island communities.

Department of the Interior MPA-Related Programs

National Park Service (NPS) is a world leader in the parks and preservation fields. NPS serves as guardian of 387 units in the National Park System. More than 40 contain portions of the sea and Great Lakes encompassing 3 million acres of ocean and coastal waters and more than 4,000 miles of coastline within their boundaries. NPS works with public and private partners to care for diverse natural, cultural and recreational resources, and conserves them for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. With more than 500 units, the National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's only public lands system dedicated to wildlife and conserving wildlife habitat. There are 162 national wildlife refuges that conserve and manage valuable coastal habitat and marine resources.

Minerals Management Service (MMS) is responsible for assessment and environmentally sound management of Outer Continental Shelf energy resources, as well as the collection and distribution of approximately $5 billion in revenues derived from onshore and offshore energy and mineral leases. MMS oversees offshore leasing for exploration and development activities, and monitors activities for safety and environmental standards. MMS activities stimulate scientific exploration of the OCS and provide major economic benefits to the American people.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the nation's principal natural science research and information agency. The USGS conducts research, monitoring, and assessments that contribute to understanding the natural world—America’s lands, water, and biological resources. The USGS provides reliable, impartial information to assist in maintaining healthy ecosystems and natural resources, to help resource managers, planners, and citizens to understand and respond to changes in the environment, and to achieve Department of the Interior agency goals for conserving the nation's land and water resources.

Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carries out the Department of the Interior’s responsibilities for the nation’s insular areas, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. OIA provides technical and financial assistance to these areas as well as the Freely Associated States of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

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