
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation. The Convention on Biological Diversity defines MPAs as any area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, such as custom, to protect its marine and/or coastal biodiversity. MPAs are intended to make it more difficult to claim MPA status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, including custom, with the effect that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity enjoys a higher level of protection than its surroundings. |
| Long-term goal | Conservation and ecological recovery |
| Marine resources | Exploitation of marine resources is not allowed |
| Conservation | Long-term |
| Geographical space | Clearly defined |
| Management | Recognised, dedicated and managed |
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What You'll Learn
- Marine protected areas (MPAs) are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity as marine and coastal protected areas (MCPAs)
- MPAs are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation
- MPAs are clearly defined geographical spaces
- MPAs are dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means
- MPAs are established by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity as marine and coastal protected areas (MCPAs)
MPAs are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation. The IUCN defines a protected area as a "clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature".
In the US, Executive Order 13158 in May 2000 established MPAs, defining them as: "Any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein".
A region is not a marine protected area if there is no defined long-term goal for conservation and ecological recovery, and extraction of marine resources occurs.
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MPAs are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation
In the United States, Executive Order 13158 in May 2000 established MPAs, defining them as any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area as "a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated features." This definition is intended to make it more difficult to claim MPA status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs. If there is no defined long-term goal for conservation and ecological recovery, and extraction of marine resources occurs, a region is not a marine protected area.
MPAs are an important tool for the conservation of the ocean and its biodiversity. They provide a way to protect marine environments and the species that depend on them, ensuring their long-term survival and health.
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MPAs are clearly defined geographical spaces
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are clearly defined geographical spaces. They are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation. MPAs are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity as any area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, such as custom. This means that the marine and/or coastal biodiversity within the MPA enjoys a higher level of protection than its surroundings.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area as "a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature".
In the United States, Executive Order 13158 in May 2000 established MPAs as any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.
MPAs are not simply regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs. If there is no defined long-term goal for conservation and ecological recovery, and extraction of marine resources occurs, a region is not an MPA.
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MPAs are dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means. The Convention on Biological Diversity defines a marine and coastal protected area (MCPA) as:
> Any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, including custom, with the effect that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity enjoys a higher level of protection than its surroundings.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area as:
> A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature.
In the United States, MPAs were established by Executive Order 13158 in May 2000, which defines them as:
> Any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.
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MPAs are established by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are established by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations. MPAs are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation. The Convention on Biological Diversity defines the broader term of marine and coastal protected area (MCPA) as any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, including custom, with the effect that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity enjoys a higher level of protection than its surroundings.
In May 2000, United States Executive Order 13158 established MPAs, defining them as any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area as "a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature". This definition is intended to make it more difficult to claim MPA status for regions where the exploitation of marine resources occurs. If there is no defined long-term goal for conservation and ecological recovery, and extraction of marine resources occurs, a region is not a marine protected area.
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Frequently asked questions
A marine protected area (MPA) is a clearly defined geographical space that is recognised, dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means to achieve the long-term conservation of nature.
A marine protected area includes any area of the intertidal or subtidal terrain, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features.
The purpose of a marine protected area is to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources within the marine environment.
Marine protected areas can be established by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations.
A marine and coastal protected area is a broader term that includes any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, while a marine protected area specifically refers to areas of the ocean.

























