NOAA Marine Protected

AreasARGENIS CÁTALA SANCHEZ

845-02-1635

Definition:

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas of the oceans or Great

Lakes that are protected for a conservation purpose.

In the United States, there are over 1,600 MPAs spanning a range of habitats, including the open ocean, coastal areas, inter-tidal zones,

estuaries, and the Great Lakes.

About 41 percent of U.S. marine waters are protected in some way,

with three percent in highly protected no-take MPAs to protect

sensitive species and habitats

National system of MPAs

Different jurisdictions are both federal, tribal, state and local

agencies managing over hundreds of MPA in the United States

causing a small disconnection and loss of opportunities to share

lessons on best management practices.

Managed by the federal government, the national system of MPAs

brings work together at the regional and national levels to achieve

common objectives for conserving the nation's important natural

and cultural resources

Restrictions

One question many people have about marine protected areas (MPAs) is whether or not there are restrictions associated with the use of these areas. ”depends”

MPAs are established for the conservation of their natural or cultural resources.

there can be restrictions on certain activities in MPAs, nearly all U.S. MPAs allow multiple uses, including fishing.

Marines areas are more restrictives. limiting the catching of fish, collection of shells, or other activities where something may be removed from the area.

Marine reserves are sometimes referred to as “no take” MPAs, and occupy about three percent of U.S. waters.

Classifying MPA’S

National MPA Center developed a system to help describe these

areas using characteristics that are common to most MPAs.

The characteristics include conservation focus, level of protection, permanence of protection, constancy of protection, and

ecological scale of protection.

The end result is a common vocabulary for MPA managers,

something that comes in handy when exchanging ideas and

lessons learned or working to identify additional areas that should

be protected.

MPA Inventory

Managers can use the Inventory for marine management and

conservation planning. In fact, the primary purpose of the Inventory

is to maintain baseline information on MPAs to the assist in the

development of the National System of MPAs.

NOAA’S National MPA’S Center

The National MPA Center was established in 2000 following

Executive Order 13158.

The executive order was issued to help protect the significant natural and cultural resources within the marine environment for the

benefit of present and future generations.

The order directs the Department of Commerce, the Department of

the Interior, and other federal agencies to work closely with states,

territories, tribes, fishery management councils, and groups with an

interest in marine resource conservation to develop a scientifically-

based, comprehensive National System of MPAs representing diverse U.S. marine ecosystems.

Science and Stewardship

The MPA Center uses science to assess the nature of MPAs and how

they are used to sustain healthy marine ecosystems.

MPA Center focuses its objectives on enhancing MPA stewardship by strengthening capacity for planning, management, and

evaluation.

For example, the MPA Center is working with other MPA programs to

share lessons about how they are planning for and adapting to

climate change

MPA Programs

There are many different types of MPAs including national marine

sanctuaries and national estuarine research reserves.

13 national marine sanctuaries.

28 national estuarine research reserves.

Other types of MPAs include national parks, national wildlife refuges,

and state areas for the protection of habitat, fish, and wildlife.

The National System of MPAs is helping to weave all of these areas

together into an effective network that can protect species that

move through various habitats during different life stages, and that can meet common challenges faced by MPA programs.

National Systems of Mpa’s

CEC MARINE ECOREGIONS

MPA Programs in USA

Marine Sanctuaries

Questions?

What do you say about marine protection strategies?

Which it has strengths and weaknesses strategy NOAA?

Do you believe that people are aware of which areas and which

practices are appropriate in each maritime zone?

Do you believe that Puerto Rico is an awareness of protected

areas?

THANKS!!!