NOS/NOAA's Role in Protected Areas

NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) plays a major role in implementing presidential Executive Order 13158 (pdf, 140KB) on marine protected areas (MPAs), issued in May 2000. The Executive Order was issued to reverse the loss of ocean habitats, sustain fisheries, and preserve other valuable marine resources. The order directs the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior (DOI) and other federal agencies to strengthen and expand a national system of MPAs by working closely with state, territorial, local, tribal, fishery management councils and other stakeholders. The mission of the National Marine Protected Areas Center is to facilitate the effective use of science, technology, training, and information in the planning, management and evaluation of the nation's system of marine protected areas.