NOAA and U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Launch the National System of Marine Protected Areas
NOAA's National Marine Protected Areas Center, together with DOI, has launched the National System of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – the first formal mechanism for coordinating MPAs across all levels of government toward common conservation objectives. The Framework for the National System of MPAs of the United States of America outlines key components of the system, including goals and priority conservation objectives. The Framework was developed with extensive involvement from Federal, State, tribal, and nongovernmental stakeholders, including the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee, and represents a multiyear effort to protect and conserve ecosystems, cultural resources, and fisheries. The Framework is online at
www.mpa.gov.
Contact: Joseph.Uravitch@noaa.gov, 301-563-1195, NOAA MPA Center
