National Marine Protected Areas Center

11/28/2023

Mud matters! More than you think!

Did you know that the ocean’s sediments are the largest non-fossil pool of organic carbon on the planet? In addition to providing habitat for many seafloor creatures, the surface mud itself receives and holds tons and tons of carbon. A recent analysis in NOAA's Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries and the northern portion of NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary showed that the top layers hold nine million metric tons of carbon and can stay there for the long term if left undisturbed. Check out the latest Conservation Series Report on Blue Carbon to learn how marine protected areas can play a role in achieving global carbon mitigation goals. https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/conservation/blue-carbon-in-marine-protected-areas-part-3.html

09/20/2023

How does offshore wind energy development interact with marine ecosystems? Join us tomorrow at 1:00 ET for part two of our webinar series "Developing Offshore Wind in US Waters: Offshore Wind Development and the Structure and Function of Marine Ecosystems". This webinar will explore the potential interactions of the growing offshore wind industry with marine ecosystems and what science is still needed to better understand these interactions.

For more information and to register: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwa
Photo Description: Construction of an offshore wind turbine
Photo Credit: NOAA

09/15/2023

09/14/2023

How does offshore wind energy development interact with marine ecosystems? Join us September 21 at 1:00 ET for part two of our webinar series "Developing Offshore Wind in US Waters: Offshore Wind Development and the Structure and Function of Marine Ecosystems". This webinar will explore the potential interactions of the growing offshore wind industry with marine ecosystems and what science is still needed to better understand these interactions.

For more information and to register: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwa
Photo Description: Two offshore wind turbines
Photo Credit: BOEM

07/13/2023

Interested in learning more about offshore wind energy in US waters? Join us July 19 at 12:00 ET for part one of our webinar series "Developing Offshore Wind in US Waters: The Planning and Regulatory Framework". This webinar will set the stage for future discussions by exploring the historical and policy background and framing behind the US wind energy transition, including an introduction to the planning and regulation processes and the players involved.

For more information and to register: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwa
Photo Description: An american flag in front of three offshore wind turbines
Photo Credit: NOAA

06/07/2023

Climate change is having a profound effect on ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems and we are already seeing impacts on MPAs and the resources they protect. At the same time, MPAs are increasingly recognized as important nature-based soultions to the climate crisis.

Explore our new climate change webpage to discover information, tools, and resources to help MPAs better understand and address the impacts of our changing ocean.

https://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/climate-change/



Photo Description: A school of fish swim in a kelp forest
Photo Credit: NOAA

06/07/2023

Check out the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries virtual Capitol Hill Ocean Week Session today at 12:30pm ET! More information below.

04/26/2023

How can experiences from US National Marine Sanctuaries and the MPA Center help other MPAs address the impacts of climate change? Join us tomorrow at 1pm ET for the webinar “Managing for Climate Change in MPAs: Stories and Tools from National Marine Sanctuaries and the National MPA Center” which will highlight climate change experiences from the National Marine Sanctuary System and share new products and tools designed to help MPA managers accelerate and enhance climate monitoring, assessment, and adaptation within their own MPA.

For more information and to register: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwa
Photo Description: Purple sea urchins on a piece of dead kelp
Photo Credit: NOAA

04/20/2023

How can experiences from US National Marine Sanctuaries and the MPA Center help other MPAs address the impacts of climate change? Join us on April 27 at 1pm ET for the webinar “Managing for Climate Change in MPAs: Stories and Tools from National Marine Sanctuaries and the National MPA Center” which will highlight climate change experiences from the National Marine Sanctuary System and share new products and tools designed to help MPA managers accelerate and enhance climate monitoring, assessment, and adaptation within their own MPA.

For more information and to register: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwa
Photo Description: A bleached coral
Photo Credit: NOAA

03/14/2023

How can MPA managers engage youth in ocean conservation? Join us tomorrow at 1pm ET for the webinar “A New Toolkit for Engaging Youth in Ocean Health and Conservation.” This webinar, featuring young writers, will explore a “youth action toolkit” being created by youth for youth which provides community examples of how youth can take action to conserve their ocean and demonstrates the benefit of MPAs for ocean conservation.
For more information and to register: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwa
Photo Description: Students of the Quilete Tribal School pilot a remote operated vehicle in a pool
Photo Credit: NOAA

03/08/2023

How can MPA managers engage youth in ocean conservation? Join us on March 15 at 1pm ET for the webinar “A New Toolkit for Engaging Youth in Ocean Health and Conservation.” This webinar, featuring young writers, will explore a “youth action toolkit” being created by youth for youth which provides community examples of how youth can take action to conserve their ocean and demonstrates the benefit of MPAs for ocean conservation.

For more information and to register: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwa
Photo Description: Kids swim in the water smiling at the camera
Photo Credit: NOAA

01/17/2023

WEBINAR TODAY!!!
MPAs are increasingly promoted as an ocean-based climate solution, but does the evidence support these claims? Join us today at 11am ET for the webinar "Do MPAs matter for climate change mitigation and adaptation?" which will present and discuss the results of a meta-analysis of over 22,000 publications that explores the extent to which MPAs can be a useful tool for mitigating climate change and adapting social-ecological systems.
For more information and to register: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwa
Photo Description: Diver with a 360 camera swimming through a coral nursery
Photo Credit: NOAA