National Marine Protected Areas Center: Gulf of Mexico MPA Network

Gulf of Mexico MPA Network

> National System > Gulf of Mexico MPA Network

The Gulf of Mexico provides our country with some of our most beautiful natural areas, plentiful natural resources, and seemingly limitless economic and recreational benefits. As the Gulf of Mexico Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Network, it is our responsibility to work together to protect these natural areas and all the things that they provide for us. By looking at the big picture and working together as one united Gulf of Mexico, we will help to ensure the preservation of our quality of life, environment, and economic vitality for our families, children, and future generations. Do your part to protect the Gulf by supporting the Gulf of Mexico MPA Network!

What is the Gulf of Mexico MPA Network?

The Gulf of Mexico is managed by a collection of Federal, State, and Private organizations who work to understand and protect this large natural area. Each of the individual marine protected areas (MPAs) though out the Gulf is classified by the entity that manages them and the way in which they are managed and protected. Some examples of protected areas in the Gulf include National Marine Sanctuaries, National Estuarine Research Reserves, National Parks, and National Wildlife Refuges as well as aquatic preserves, and state preserves.

The Gulf of Mexico MPA Network is working to bring together these separate entities in order to cooperatively conserve and restore the Gulf. Created at a regional meeting held at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Environmental Learning Center in April of 2011, the Network’s mission is to raise awareness of the value and importance of these areas by creating opportunities for collective environmental planning and response, sharing valuable information, leveraging our resources, and conveying a common message about the value and importance of these areas. Gulf MPAs protect over 280,800 square kilometers of the Gulf waters and coastal habitats that provide over 20 million jobs for those living in the region. It is our responsibility to come together as the Gulf of Mexico to ensure the health and vitality of this large, interconnected natural area. Current efforts include developing plans for effective communication among Gulf MPAs, developing a collective disaster response plan for the Gulf, developing a climate resiliency plan to ensure the areas vitality in the midst of shifting trends, and developing a plan to increase understanding of MPAs in the Gulf. It is our goal to increase awareness and bolster the cooperative spirit that is required for protecting and restoring the Gulf of Mexico.

Why form a Gulf of Mexico MPA Network?

All too often around the Gulf of Mexico, lack of communication and collective action results in duplication of efforts and inefficient action. With current national budget cuts, environmental stresses, and lack of resources already putting stress on management in the Gulf, a framework for MPA coordination was necessary to achieve a foundational level of regional management of ocean and coastal resources. This newly formed Network will serve to increase communication, collaboration and effective sharing of resources among Gulf of Mexico MPAs. Focus areas for the network were determined by the Gulf MPA Network Advisory Committee as well as select MPA managers during an April 2011 meeting held at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve that include climate resiliency, disaster response, education and outreach, and communications. Results of this meeting can be found in the Gulf of Mexico MPA Network Documents section of this page.

Error processing SSI file
Error processing SSI file
Error processing SSI file
Error processing SSI file	Gulf of Mexico MPA Network > National System > Gulf of Mexico MPA Network The Gulf of Mexico provides our country with some of our most beautiful natural areas, plentiful natural resources, and seemingly limitless economic and recreational benefits. As the Gulf of Mexico Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Network, it is our responsibility to work together to protect these natural areas and all the things that they provide for us. By looking at the big picture and working together as one united Gulf of Mexico, we will help to ensure the preservation of our quality of life, environment, and economic vitality for our families, children, and future generations. Do your part to protect the Gulf by supporting the Gulf of Mexico MPA Network! What is the Gulf of Mexico MPA Network? The Gulf of Mexico is managed by a collection of Federal, State, and Private organizations who work to understand and protect this large natural area. Each of the individual marine protected areas (MPAs) though out the Gulf is classified by the entity that manages them and the way in which they are managed and protected. Some examples of protected areas in the Gulf include National Marine Sanctuaries, National Estuarine Research Reserves, National Parks, and National Wildlife Refuges as well as aquatic preserves, and state preserves. The Gulf of Mexico MPA Network is working to bring together these separate entities in order to cooperatively conserve and restore the Gulf. Created at a regional meeting held at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Environmental Learning Center in April of 2011, the Network’s mission is to raise awareness of the value and importance of these areas by creating opportunities for collective environmental planning and response, sharing valuable information, leveraging our resources, and conveying a common message about the value and importance of these areas. Gulf MPAs protect over 280,800 square kilometers of the Gulf waters and coastal habitats that provide over 20 million jobs for those living in the region. It is our responsibility to come together as the Gulf of Mexico to ensure the health and vitality of this large, interconnected natural area. Current efforts include developing plans for effective communication among Gulf MPAs, developing a collective disaster response plan for the Gulf, developing a climate resiliency plan to ensure the areas vitality in the midst of shifting trends, and developing a plan to increase understanding of MPAs in the Gulf. It is our goal to increase awareness and bolster the cooperative spirit that is required for protecting and restoring the Gulf of Mexico. Why form a Gulf of Mexico MPA Network? All too often around the Gulf of Mexico, lack of communication and collective action results in duplication of efforts and inefficient action. With current national budget cuts, environmental stresses, and lack of resources already putting stress on management in the Gulf, a framework for MPA coordination was necessary to achieve a foundational level of regional management of ocean and coastal resources. This newly formed Network will serve to increase communication, collaboration and effective sharing of resources among Gulf of Mexico MPAs. Focus areas for the network were determined by the Gulf MPA Network Advisory Committee as well as select MPA managers during an April 2011 meeting held at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve that include climate resiliency, disaster response, education and outreach, and communications. Results of this meeting can be found in the Gulf of Mexico MPA Network Documents section of this page.