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Marine Protected Areas of the

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OCEANSOne Place at a Time

marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov TABLE OF CONTENTS Marine Protected Areas: 1 U.S. MPAs at a Glance 3 Protecting Blue Carbon CONSERVING at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve OUR 4 Connecting the Dots: MPA Networks and Systems One Place at a time 4 ’s Ecological Networks of MPAs 8 Focus on Natural and arine protected areas not only protect the Cultural Heritage and cultural resources within their boundaries, but 11 Thunder Bay National Marine are a valuable tool for protecting marine ecosystems Sanctuary: Building Community and the coastal communities they sustain. By engag- Support M ing local communities in places they care about, MPAs demonstate 12 MPA Management Trends how we can truly conserve our oceans… one place at a time. 13 Thinking Big – Large Remote MPAs are Havens for Marine Life What is a Marine ? tion – area, marine, reserved, lasting, 14 Managing for Resilience: Kahekili and protection – are defined in the Marine protected areas (MPAs) are Herbivore Management Area Framework for the National System of Ma- special places like coastal or underwa- 15 rine Protected Areas of the United States of Planning for Visitors – and ter parks that protect habitats, and Level Rise – at Gateway National America. The United States categorizes Recreation Area wildlife, and cultural resources. While some people assume that marine pro- MPAs by three primary conservation 16 Looking Forward tected areas are closed to and purposes: other uses, MPA is actually a broad • Natural Heritage – biological com- Editor: ...... Lauren Wenzel term that includes places with a wide munities, habitats, ecosystems and Design:...... Matt McIntosh range of purposes, legal authorities and processes levels of protection. What they have in • Cultural Heritage – cultural re- Contributors: ...... Jordan Gass and common is a focus on the long-term sources that reflect the nation’s Charles Wahle, MPA Center; Michael Migliori, conservation of coastal and eco- maritime history and traditional NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource systems and the resources and services cultural connections to the sea Management; Joanne Flanders, NOAA Of- they support. fice of Exploration and Research; Bret Wolfe, The formal definition of an MPA • Sustainable Production – harvested US Fish and Wildlife Service; Cliff McCreedy, living resources and their habitats Service; Russell Sparks, in the United States is “any area of Department of Land and Aquatic Resources. the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, territorial, Why We Need MPAs

Cover Image:...... ©iStockphoto.com/Jessamyn Smallenburg tribal, or local laws or regulations to The world’s oceans and coasts are provide lasting protection for part or increasingly threatened by develop-

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER all of the natural and cultural resources ment, pollution, , climate therein.” Key terms within the defini- change and natural events, which strain

MPAs have been used as a conservation tool for more than a century – starting with a focus on key 1868 resources like fur seals or water birds, and expanding to focus increasingly on protecting entire ecosystems.

to learn about the many ways in which TimelineTakecommunities, states a tripand federal through agencies have established time MPAs to protect our nation’s ocean treasures. 1 Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine

marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov Photo: Flickr/Bob JagendorfPhoto:

THE BIG PICTURE U.S. MPAs at a Glance

The coastal and ocean waters around the United States are home to a wide array of MPAs of all sizes, shapes, and purposes. A quick overview of all types of MPAs in U.S. waters, including those established for natural heritage, cul- tural heritage and sustainable production, reveals that:

• The United States currently has more than • Nearly all (85 percent) U.S. MPAs are multiple use, 1,700 MPAs allowing some form of extractive activities • About 41 percent of all U.S. waters out to • No take MPAs occupy only about 3 percent of all 200nm are in some form of MPA (includes U.S. waters sustainable production [fishery] MPAs which often have specific gear restrictions over large • About 7 percent of the area in MPAs in the U.S. is ocean areas) no take • About 8 percent of all U.S. waters are pro- • State and territorial governments manage approxi- tected by MPAs focused on natural heritage mately 76 percent of the nation’s MPAs or cultural heritage (excluding sustainable Federal agencies manage 60% of U.S. MPA area production MPAs) •

President Theodore Roosevelt establishes the first MPA and the first National Wildlife 1868 President Grant deploys 1903 in the United States 1913 1967 military and customs agents to -- Pelican Island National the Pribilof Islands, part of the Wildlife Refuge –to protect Hanauma Bay Marine Life recently purchased territory of pelicans and other migratory Conservation District is Alaska, to protect valuable fur birds that were being killed designated as the first no-take seals from overexploitation by for their feathers for hats and MPA in Hawaii, and today is foreign hunters. other fashions. one of the most visited MPAs in the world. First MPA in National Park System is created at Cabrillo National Monument, California. 2 Alaska

Service Layer Credits: Source: US Pacific Islands Copyright:© 2013 Esri Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine

Hawaii

Guam

US Marine Protected Areas Level of Government Federal Partnership American marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov Samoa State & Territorial

Map of U.S. Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage MPAs

the health of our marine Resources Present in U.S. Natural Heritage and ecosystems. MPAs are a Cultural Heritage Marine Protected Areas tool to help reduce those stresses and restore ma- RESOURCE PERCENT OF MPAs WITH RESOURCE PRESENT Coastal 47 rine ecosystems. They 16 can also serve as an “in- Barrier Islands 15 surance policy” by con- Rocky Intertidal Areas 11 serving biological diver- Corals (tropical) 14 sity, protecting spawning Corals (deepwater) 3 and nursery areas, and & 40 protecting habitats like Haulouts 10 barrier islands, coral Bird Nesting Areas 60 reefs and wetlands that Migratory Birds 48 shield communities Fish Spawning Areas 22 from coastal storms and Fish Nursery Areas 19 flooding. These ben- Anadromous Fish 14 efits, along with other Nesting Areas 14 economic benefits from Fissipeds (sea otters & polar bears) 5 recreation, and Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) 31 fishing, help sustain lo- Pinnipeds 16 cal coastal communities.

1972 1974

Coastal Zone Management Act is passed, establish- The wreck of the USS Monitor National Marine Sanctuary ing the National Estuarine is nominated for National Act is passed, outlining the Research Reserve System, Marine Sanctuary status, purpose and process to a network of MPAs for becoming the first National create Sanctuaries. research, education and Marine Sanctuary in 1975. stewardship. Making Sense of U.S. MPAs: the 3 MPA Inventory With more than 1,700 marine pro- tected areas managed by dozens of federal, state and territorial govern- ment agencies, the MPA picture in the United States is a complicated mosaic of jurisdictions and approaches. The U.S. MPA Inventory, managed by the National Marine Protected Areas Cen- ter, is a comprehensive database of all Areas Protected Marine MPAs in U.S. waters and is updated an- nually. This unique database includes geospatial information on the sites, Photo: Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve National Estuarine Research Bay Waquoit Photo: as well as a host of other data on the purpose, governance, regulations and PROTECTING “BLUE CARBON” HABITATS AT WAQUOIT resources of MPAs in U.S. waters. An BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE accompanying MPA Mapping Tool al- lows users to view boundaries and ac- Tidal wetlands are increasingly recognized as one of the key cess data for most of these sites. (See coastal habitats that absorb large quantities of from marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov www.marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov.) the atmosphere and store it as “blue carbon,” thus decreasing the ef- This overview summarizes infor- fects of global warming. Globally, coastal habitats like salt marshes, mation about all U.S. MPAs, with seagrasses and mangroves are more effective than forests in se- particular emphasis on MPAs estab- questering carbon. To better understand how these processes work, lished to protect the nation’s natural Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) is con- or cultural heritage such as biological ducting research into the relationships between climate change, sea diversity, functioning ecosystems and level rise, salt marshes and nitrogen pollution in order to develop and intact habitats. As such, this analy- apply new techniques to quantify emissions and sis excludes sustainable production carbon sequestration in wetlands. MPAs created specifically to manage Waquoit Bay NERR is part of the National Estuarine Research Re- . Additionally, figures for the serve System, a network of 28 MPAs focused on estuarine areas natural heritage and cultural heritage protected for research, education and stewardship. Waquiot Bay MPAs in this document exclude some NERR’s research also aims to predict carbon fluxes across a range very large and spatially- or temporal- of environmental conditions such as precipitation, water level, and ly-dynamic areas managed by NOAA salinity and under conditions of future climate change. Through this Fisheries to protect right whales and work, scientists at Waquoit Bay NERR are generating information other threatened species from fishing and tools that coastal decision makers can use to manage nitrogen impacts. The Inventory also provides pollution and design effective wetlands protection and restoration information on the wealth and diver- projects. They are also contributing to policy frameworks and eco- sity of resources protected by U.S. nomic incentives that may someday soon bring coastal wetlands MPAs. The table at left shows the per- into international carbon markets, thereby providing a financial in- cent of U.S. MPAs focused on natural centive for investment in tidal restoration and preservation. and cultural heritage that contain cer- tain habitats and resource groups.

1980 1987 1998 Florida begins to develop a statewide system of un- International “Year of the derwater parks featuring Ocean.” A National Oceans The Michigan underwater shipwrecks and other historic Conference is held in preserve system is created sites, popular attractions for Monterey, California. Presi- to preserve and protect skin and scuba diving visitors dent William J. Clinton Michigan’s historic ship- to witness a part of Florida’s and Vice President Albert wrecks for later generations. history first-hand. Gore attend, calling for a comprehensive program for national action for the oceans. 4 Connnecting the Dots: MPA NETWORKS AND SYSTEMS

MPA Networks: Linking Sites connect important habitats and popula- the movements of adults, juveniles and Ecologically to Maximize tions ecologically, replenish and sustain larvae is helping to inform management marine life, maintain ecosystem process- Conservation Impacts decisions to create MPA networks. The es, and improve resilience by spreading most systematic approach to developing Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine MPAs span a range of habitats in- risk in case of localized disasters. MPA MPA networks in the United States has cluding the open ocean, coastal areas, networks can also enhance the effec- been California’s Marine Life Protection

intertidal zones, , and the Great tiveness of small MPAs when establish- Act (see below). Lakes. Networks of MPAs can connect ing larger MPAs is not economically, these diverse habitats, providing protec- logistically or socially feasible. Most U.S. MPA Systems: Partnerships MPAs were established before the re- tion to species that use different habitats across MPA Programs at different stages of their lives. Scien- cent focus on MPA networks, and are tists and policy makers have called for therefore not designed to be ecologi- Creating systems of MPAs focuses the establishment of MPA networks to cally connected. However, research on on strengthening the institutional con- marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov CALIFORNIA’S OF MPAS

Department of Fish and gions of the state, result- partnership to conduct Game) to redesign Cali- ing in 124 MPAs covering regional planning pro- fornia’s system of MPAs to about 16 percent of state cesses. Regional stake- increase its cohesion and waters. Of this MPA area, holder groups developed effectiveness at protect- approximately 58 percent alternative MPA propos- ing the state’s marine life, (9 percent of state waters) als that were evaluated habitats and ecosystems. is in “no-take” MPAs. by a science advisory The goals of the MLPA Much has been team and the California focus on protecting the learned from California’s Department of Fish and state’s marine life popula- process creating its MPA Wildlife for the ability to tions, habitats and eco- network, including the im- meet MLPA goals. Po- systems, as well as the portance of stakeholder tential socioeconomic

Photo: L. Wenzel Photo: recreational, educational engagement, clear sci- impacts and other fac- and study opportunities ence guidelines, finan- tors were also considered California is the national they provide. Moreover, cial investment, building during multiple rounds of leader in developing eco- the law clearly states that broad-based support and review that included gov- logical networks of MPAs. the state’s MPAs should ensuring a transparent ernment agencies, tribes, The state’s 1999 Marine function as a network to decision-making process. industry and the public. A Life Protection Act (MLPA) the extent possible. An After two failed attempts blue ribbon task force, es- requires the California De- MPA planning process to design a statewide tablished to oversee the partment of Fish and Wild- was completed in 2011 MPA network, California MPA planning process, life (formerly the California for the four coastal re- launched a public-private made recommendations

1999 2000 2001

President William J. California’s Marine Life Pro- Clinton issues Executive Virgin Islands Na- tection Act passed to protect Order 13158, calling for the tional Monument in St. John is marine life populations, establishment of a National established and Buck Island habitats and ecosystems. System of Marine Protected Reef National Monument in Areas, and establishing the St. Croix, USVI is expanded. National Marine Protected Areas Center. Connnecting the Dots: 5 MPA NETWORKS AND SYSTEMS

nections among MPA programs. The United States serve the nation’s marine resources. The national system has dozens of federal, state, territorial and tribal MPA brings together federal, state and territorial MPAs managed programs that manage their component MPAs ac- by diverse agencies that are working toward shared national cording to their own authorities and mandates. Fa- conservation objectives, providing them with a means to ad- miliar examples include national parks, national ma- dress issues that occur in multiple sites across their boundar- Areas Protected Marine rine sanctuaries, national wildlife refuges and the state ies, such as adaptation to climate change. The focus of the national system is on enhancing protec- counterparts to these programs. In 2000, Executive tion of marine resources and representing the nation’s diverse Order 13158 called for the establishment of a com- ecosystems. The national system does not bring state, territo- prehensive National System to strengthen and expand rial or local sites under federal authority, nor does it restrict or the nation’s portfolio of MPAs. This system was es- change the management of any MPA. There are currently 437 tablished in 2009 as a voluntary partnership among members of the national system, representing four federal the nation’s MPA programs to more effectively con- programs and programs in 12 coastal states. To be eligible for the national system, a site must meet criteria in the Framework marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov for the National System of MPAs of the United States. Since its inception, the National System of MPAs, coordi- nated by the National Marine Protected Areas Center, has un- to the California Fish to promote ecological dertaken several activities to help strengthen and connect the and Game Commis- connectivity. The result- nation’s MPA programs. These have included: sion, which made final ing statewide network regional decisions after includes more and • Annual meetings to identify program priorities and estab- conducting its own en- larger MPAs, as well lish priorities for the national system vironmental review and as MPAs that capture a regulatory processes. broader range of habi- • Regular updates of the U.S. Inventory of MPAs Scientific design tats. The MPA Monitor- guidelines and other ing Enterprise, an in- • Spatial data and tools for MPA managers to better under- key design criteria es- dependent, non-profit stand and address expanding human uses of the oceans tablished a framework organization, is work- and the conflicts they sometimes entail for developing the re- ing with the California gional MPAs. The sci- Department of Fish • Updates on MPA science and management news through ence guidelines were and Wildlife and other the MPA Center website, marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov, developed by the sci- state, federal, tribal and social media ence advisory team and nongovernmental and recommended partners to establish a • A small grant program to support collaborative projects, habitats to be repre- monitoring benchmark including regional MPA networks sented in MPAs, rep- for measuring future lication of habitats MPA performance and • Training (MPA network development, climate change within MPAs, and size develop a strategy for adaptation), and, and spacing of MPAs, long-term monitoring. • Collaboration on outreach and communication.

2002 2006 California establishes ten marine reserves and two Papahānaumokuākea areas Tortugas Ecological Marine National Monument within Channel Islands Reserve in in Hawai’i is established National Park and National National Marine Sanctuary is by President George W. Marine Sanctuary, creating established, the largest fully- Bush, the largest MPA in one of the largest marine protected in the United States and one reserve networks in U.S. U.S. federal waters to-date. of the largest in the world. waters. 6 Toward a Representative System of MPAs Executive Order 13158, which called for the es- tablishment of the National System of MPAs, not- ed that its purpose was to “develop a scientifically based, comprehensive national system of marine protected areas representing diverse U.S. marine ecosystems.” The initial analysis of representative- ness shown here is based on the extent to which each of the 14 ecoregions in U.S. waters are cov- ered by MPAs. Marine ecoregions are geographic

Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine areas established based on distinct oceanographic features and species groups. These ecoregions were

created by the trilateral (, Mexico and US) Commission for Environmental Cooperation, and Percent of Ecoregion Area in Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage MPAs are similar to the Marine Ecoregions of the World created by the World Wildlife Fund and The Na- ture Conservancy. For natural heritage and cultural heritage MPAs, the best represented ecoregions include the Ha- waiian Islands, Remote Pacific Islands, the Great marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov Lakes and South Florida, which all have more than 10 percent of their area in these types of MPAs. The least represented ecoregions include the Beau- fort and Chuckchi in Alaska, the Southern (offshore), and the Gulf Stream and Northern Gulf Stream transition ecoregions off the East Coast, none of which have any natural heritage or cultural heritage MPAs. Ecoregions that have the most area in the Na- Percent of Ecoregion Area in National System MPAs tional System of MPAs include South Florida and Hawaii, both of which have more than 10 percent of their area in national system MPAs. Ecoregions least represented within the national system include all of those in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, and most of ecoregions along the East Coast. For no-take natural heritage and cultural heritage MPAs, the best represented ecoregions are Hawaii and the Remote Pacific Islands, followed by South Florida and then by the Southern Californian Pa- cific and the Caribbean. The remaining regions have very small no-take MPA area, with the Beaufort and Chuckchi Seas, the Southern Gulf of Mexico and the offshore ecoregions along the East Coast (Northern Gulf Stream Transition and Gulf Stream) having Percent of Ecoregion Area in No Take Reserves none of these highly protective MPAs.

2007 2009

National Park Service sets Marianas Trench, Pacific National System of Marine aside Research Natural Area Remote Islands, and Rose Protected Areas formally at Dry Tortugas National Marine National established, with 225 federal Park as no-take zone and Monuments established by and state MPAs as charter establishes joint science plan President George W. Bush. members. with State of Florida. 7 Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine

marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov Photo: NOAA Photo:

2010 2012 Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument becomes California completes the the first World Heritage Site in coastal component of President Obama estab- the U.S. recognized for both the statewide Marine Life lishes a National Ocean natural and cultural heritage. Protection Act network with Policy to protect and provide Papahānaumokuākea’s 124 MPAs, including 58 for the sustainable use of globally significant natural no-take MPAs. ocean resources. attributes incorporate its living, indigenous, cultural connec- tions to the sea. 8 Aichi Target 11: A GOAL FOR NATURAL Focus on HERITAGE AND CULTURAL NATURAL HERITAGE MPAS

The Convention on Biological Diversity & CULTURAL (CBD) plays an important role as an in- ternational framework for conservation HERITAGE action. In 2010, parties to the CBD in Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine Nagoya, Japan, established new con- servation targets, including Aichi Target Natural and Cultural Heritage MPAs at a Glance:

11, on marine protected areas. Specifi- • Account for 1,303 of the nation’s 1,700 MPAs cally, the target states that “by 2020…10 • Cover about 8 percent of all U.S. waters percent of coastal and marine areas, es- • About 18 percent of these MPAs are no-take pecially areas of particular importance • Of these MPAs, 88 percent are primarily focused on natural for and ecosystem services, heritage protection, with 12 percent focused primarily on the are conserved through effectively and protection of cultural heritage. (Many MPAs have more than one equitably managed, ecologically repre- conservation focus.) marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov sentative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective Regional MPA Coverage area-based conservation measures, and There are 1,303 natural heritage and cultural heritage MPAs in place integrated into the wider landscapes in the United States. These areas vary widely in purpose, legal authori- and seascapes.” This target builds on ties, managing agencies, management approaches, level of protection, earlier conservation targets calling for and restrictions on human uses. About eight percent of U.S. waters are the establishment of MPA networks as within this type of MPA. These MPAs are fairly evenly divided among a tool for ocean management. While the the Southeast (24 percent of the total number), (23 per- United States is not a party to the CBD, cent) West Coast (22 percent) and Gulf of Mexico (17 percent), with Aichi Target 11 is a useful international much fewer in the Caribbean, Northeast, Pacific Islands and Alaska. By benchmark for assessing progress to- area, nearly 90 percent of natural heritage and cultural heritage MPA ward widely shared marine conserva- area is in the Pacific Islands region. tion goals. Because the international definition of MPAs established by the MPAs by Coastal vs. Offshore Location International Union for the Conserva- MPAs provide important ecological, social and economic benefits, tion of Nature does not include areas which vary widely depending on the resources they protect and their established for , location in relationship to human communities. Because terrestrial pro- U.S. sustainable production MPAs have tected areas have a longer history than MPAs, it’s not surprising that been excluded from much of the analy- nearly half of all MPAs are part of a larger terrestrial protected area. Of sis provided here. This focus on natu- the remainder, 45 percent are coastal (sites are primarily marine, but may ral heritage and cultural heritage MPAs include a terrestrial component; all areas are within one mile of shore) provides greater comparability with MPA and 8 percent are offshore (at least one mile from shore). In terms of management efforts in other countries. area, nearly all the area of natural heritage and cultural heritage MPAs is coastal, which includes large oceanic areas that encompass islands.

2012 2013 Hurricane Sandy hits the New York/New Jersey Oregon establishes three area. Numerous MPAs new no-take marine re- are inundated and suffer As of 2013, there are serves to aid in the research major damage to shoreline over 1,700 MPAs in and management of marine resources. Communities American waters. habitats and resources. protected by natural barriers like sand dunes are shielded from the worst impacts. 9 0% 10%20% 30%40% 50%60% 70%80% 90%100% Focus on Alabama Alaska California NATURAL Conneccut Delaware Federal Waters Florida & CULTURAL Georgia Hawaii Illinois HERITAGE Indiana Louisiana

Maine Areas Protected Marine Maryland Massachuses Michigan

Minnesota Mississippi New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Oregon Pacific Remote Islands Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov Rhode Island South Carolina Texas Virgin Islands Virginia Washington Wisconsin

Percent of State Waters in MPAs Percent of State Waters in No Take Reserves

Percent of State Waters in Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage MPAs and No-Take Reserves

MPAs by Level of Government by NOAA’s Office of National Marine the highest coverage of highly protected Sanctuaries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife no-take reserves include Hawaii (24 per- Approximately 81 percent of the Service and the State of Hawai’i). cent), American Samoa and California nation’s natural heritage and cultural (9 percent), Florida (8 percent), Puerto heritage MPAs are managed by coastal MPAs by State Rico and the Virgin Islands (7 percent). states and territories, while 15 percent Twelve states have no no-take reserves at are under federal jurisdiction and four The graph above shows the coverage all, and other 14 have less than one per- percent are managed by MPA partner- of state waters by all federal and state cent of their waters in no-take reserves. ships. Fewer than one percent of these natural heritage and cultural heritage MPAs by State, and by no-take reserves. MPAs are managed by local govern- MPAs by Scope of Protection ments. Although most of these MPAs State waters extend from shoreline out are managed by states and territories, to three nautical miles, except for Texas Scope of protection distinguishes be- they are typically quite small. In con- and Florida’s Gulf coast, where state tween MPAs that have the broad author- trast, federally-managed areas such waters extend out to nine nautical miles. ity and management strategies to sustain as national marine sanctuaries and (The federal government has jurisdiction ecosystem integrity and health, versus national monuments are often very over the area beyond state waters out to those that were established to protect a large. For this reason, approximately the 200 nautical mile limit of the Exclu- specific resource, such as a threatened or 60 percent of the total MPA area is sive Economic Zone.) The state with endangered species or a cultural resource. managed by federal agencies, and 40 the highest amount of MPA coverage is Interestingly, most natural heritage and percent is managed by intergovern- Massachusetts, with over 86 percent of cultural heritage MPAs (78 percent) have mental partnerships (dominated by the the state waters in MPAs, followed by an ecosystem focus, with only 22 percent Papahānaumokuākea Marine National California (47 percent), Florida (45 per- established with a narrower focus on a Monument in Hawaii, managed jointly cent) and Hawaii (42 percent). States with resource or resource group. In terms of 10 100% 96%

90%

Coastal 80% 46% 70%

Offshore 60% 8% 50%

40%

Terrestrial Site 30% With Marine 22% Component 20% 46%

10%

Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine 3% 0% Terrestrial Site With Marine CoastalOffshore Component

Number of Natural Heritage and Cultural Area of Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage MPAs Heritage MPAs by Coastal vs. Offshore by Coastal vs. Offshore

100%

marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov 80%

Federal 15% 60% 60% Partnership 4%

State Territorial 77% 4% 40% 38%

Local < 1%

20%

4% < 1% < 1% 0% FederalPartnership StateTerritorial Local

Number of Natural Heritage and Cultural Area of Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage MPAs Heritage MPAs by Level of Government by Level of Government

60% 57%

WHY DON’T THE “PERCENT 40% OF AREA” BAR GRAPHS 40% ADD UP TO 100 PERCENT?

Some ocean areas contain multiple MPAs managed by dif- 20% ferent governmental entities that overlap each other spatially. As 4% a result, the total area of MPAs 1% 0% in U.S. waters exceeds the ab- No Take Reserves Uniform Mulple Zoned Mulple UseZoned w/No Take solute area of ocean covered by Use Areas one or more MPAs. Area of Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage MPAs by Level of Protection 11 THUNDER BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY: BUILDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT

When Thunder Bay National Ma- rine Sanctuary was proposed for designation in 1997, 70% of voters in a non-binding ballot initiative op- posed the sanctuary. Fifteen years later, some of its most outspoken opponents are now supporting an eight-fold expansion of the sanctu- ary, which protects over 200 historic Areas Protected Marine shipwrecks in the cold waters of Lake Huron. What happened to lead to such a dramatic change in attitudes? Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located on the North- Photo: Thunder Bay NMS Thunder Bay Photo: east coast of Michigan, near Alpena, a town of approximately 1,200. Formerly dependent vation laboratory. Visitors can explore Sanctuary on timbering, the town has been working to diver- shipwrecks in real time via live video feeds from sify its economy, particularly as a destination for shipwrecks in the bay. The energy efficient building recreation and tourism. While local residents were is LEED certified, and now hosts thousands of visi- marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov skeptical of the federal government establishing a tors each year, serving as a hub for visitors, students marine protected area in state waters, they were and divers across the region and beyond. Sanctu- given an early and important voice in its manage- ary staff also led an effort to develop a Great Lakes ment through the creation of a Sanctuary Advisory Maritime Heritage Trail, funded by the Department Council (SAC). Made up of individuals represent- of Transportation and other partners, including a ing diverse interests from the community, the SAC boardwalk and interpretive material explaining the was a key mechanism for providing community in- vibrant history of the region. put into sanctuary decision-making. Today, Alpena continues its efforts to foster eco- The sanctuary also served as a focal point for nomic development, using the sanctuary as a key public and private investment in the community. selling point. The town has even begun marketing In fall 2005, it opened a new Great Lakes Maritime efforts to brand itself as the “Sanctuary of the Great Heritage Center in the site of a former paper mill. Lakes,” blending the identity of town and protected The building includes exhibit space; a theater; a area. This partnership demonstrates the potential for high-tech classroom dedicated to distance learn- MPAs to both conserve valuable marine resources ing via the Internet; and an archeological conser- and foster vibrant communities.

area protected, nearly 99 percent of the grounds for humpbacks, is now updating no-take areas; six percent prohibit take MPA coverage for natural heritage and its management plan to focus on ecosys- and access without a permit; and, one cultural heritage sites is focused on pro- tem protection to benefit a wider range of percent prohibit take, access and im- tecting ecosystems. Some sites with a species, features and ecosystem services. pacts from human activities. In terms of focus on ecosystem protection may not area covered, no-take reserves comprise yet be fully implementing this approach, MPAs by Level of Protection about 40 percent of the overall natural but it is the purpose for their establish- Most (82 percent) of our natural heritage and cultural heritage MPA area, ment. As ecosystem-based manage- heritage and cultural heritage MPAs are with no take protecting 39%; no access ment has become a basic principle for multiple-use sites that allow a variety of protecting one percent and no impact resource managers, some sites originally human activities, including fishing and protecting less than one percent. Nearly established to protect a focal resource are other extractive uses. In contrast, only all of the no-take reserve area is in just expanding their scope to encompass a 15 percent of these MPAs are no-take one MPA -- the Papahānaumokuākea broader ecosystem-scale approach. The reserves that prohibit the extraction or Marine National Monument in Hawai’i. Hawai’ian Humpback Whale National significant destruction of natural or cul- In most states and regions, no-take re- Marine Sanctuary, for example, estab- tural resources. Within this MPA catego- serves are uncommon and cover only a lished principally to protect the breeding ry of no-take reserves, eight percent are small fraction of the MPA area. 12 MPA MANAGEMENT TRENDS Natural and Cultural Heritage within the Broader Seascape The Aichi Target 11 calls for MPAs to be “integrated into the wider land- scapes and seascapes.” In the United States, the framework for this effort is the 2010 National Ocean Policy, which calls for the for- Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine mation of regional planning bodies to develop comprehensive regional ocean plans reflecting diverse sectors of ocean users. This process is under- way in the Northeast and emerging in the Mid-Atlantic and West Coast, with other regions expected to follow. The National Marine Protected Areas Cen- ter is helping to produce information

marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov and tools for ocean planning, includ- Photo: Flickr/USFWS Southeast Flickr/USFWS Photo: ing support for participatory mapping of ocean uses, and the development of MPA Establishment Over Time steadily increasing over time. Super- analytical tools to better understand the imposed on the general trend of in- patterns and implications of ocean use Natural heritage and cultural heri- creasing numbers of MPAs over time, requirements, impacts and conflicts. tage MPAs have been established in U.S. waters to protect marine resourc- the area of coastal and ocean waters Improving the Effectiveness of they protect has jumped dramatically es for more than a century. The first Natural Heritage and Cultural in recent years, more than doubling U.S. MPA was Pelican Island National Heritage MPAs Wildlife Refuge, established in 1903 in 2006 with the establishment of to protect pelicans and other water Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nation- U.S. MPAs are managed by dozens birds from the plumage trade driven al Monument in 2006, and doubling of federal, state and territorial agencies, by demand for feathers for ladies’ hats. again in 2009 with the establishment each with their own approach to mea- Since then, most MPAs have been es- of three additional marine monuments suring and improving management ef- tablished since 1960, with numbers in the remote Pacific Ocean. fectiveness. The MPA Center has iden-

1400 1400 1200 Three new Pacific Marine 1200 Monuments Established 1200 1000

1000 1000 800 As MP 800 Of 800 er mb

Nu 600

ve ti la 600 600 Papahānaumokuākea Marine mu

Cu National Monument Established 400 400 400

200 200 200 Cumulative Number of MPAs Area (x1,000 km2) Cumulative

0

1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Pre-1960 Pre-1960

Growth in numbers of MPAs, 1960-2012 Growth in area of MPAs, 1960-2012 13 THINKING BIG – LARGE REMOTE MPAS ARE HAVENS FOR MARINE LIFE

Four of the largest MPAs in U.S. waters have been single nation’s jurisdiction. Rose Atoll Marine National established in the last decade through the 1906 An- Monument in the territory of American Samoa was tiquities Act. The first, the Papahanaumokuakea Ma- created to extend the protections in the waters sur- rine National Monument, was established in 2006 rounding the tiny Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge to protect the pristine coral reefs of the Northwest out to 50 nautical miles where all commercial fishing Hawaiian Islands and the more than 7,000 species is prohibited. Despite its small size, Rose supports they contain. Stretching more than 1,200 miles, the the largest populations of giant clams, nesting sea Monument’s distinct geology, biology, and cultural , nesting , and rare species of reef fish Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine history make it one of the world’s greatest treasures. in American Samoa. The archipelago is home to more than 7,000 marine Together, these four monuments represent critical species, a quarter of which are found nowhere else refuges for fish and wildlife species rapidly vanishing on Earth, and is the primary for endangered elsewhere, including sea turtles, dolphins, whales, Hawaiian monk seals, land and sea birds, and plant pearl oysters, giant clams, coconut crabs, large species. Following this success, three additional groupers, sharks, humphead wrasses, and bump- Monuments were established in 2009 to protect head parrotfishes. unique and valuable habitats in the remote Pacific Ocean – the Marianas Trench Monument, the Pacific Remote Marine National Monument, and Rose Atoll marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov Marine National Monument in American Samoa. To- gether, these four MPAs cover over 335,350 square miles – an area greater than California, Oregon and Washington combined. These MPAs are part of a broader global effort to establish large MPAs that can encompass entire ecosystems. These MPAs are remote, and little visited by peo- ple, but are home to a wealth of species, habitats and geologic features. The Marianas Trench monu- ment primarily protects the ocean floor, including the deepest place on earth – Challenger Deep -- 6.8 miles below the ocean’s surface. The monu- ment also protects 21 undersea mud volcanoes and thermal vents along the Mariana Arc, as well as waters and submerged lands surrounding the three northernmost Mariana Islands. It includes some of the most biologically diverse coral reef ecosystems in the Western Pacific, the greatest diversity of sea- mount and life yet discovered and unique ecosystems striving in environments once thought too severe to support life. Exploration in these areas may inform our knowledge about how life evolved on earth and how it might exist elsewhere in the universe. Commercial fishing is banned in some of these waters and restricted in others to ensure that these delicate ecosystems will remain intact for research and exploration. The Pacific Remote Island Marine National Mon- ument extends 50 nautical miles from the mean low water lines of Howland, Baker, and Jarvis Is- lands; Johnston, Wake, and Palmyra ; and Kingman Reef. This monument comprises the most widespread collection of coral reef, , and

shorebird protected areas on the planet under a Pacific Flickr/USFWS Photo: 14 tified criteria for MPA eligibility to join the National System of MPAs, includ- ing contributing to one of the priority conservation objectives of the system and having a management plan (which can either be site specific or part of a broader programmatic management plan). Of the 1,303 natural heritage and cultural heritage MPAs, 32 percent

Photo: R. Sparks, Hawaii DLNR Hawaii R. Sparks, Photo: are members of the national system, 26 percent are eligible to be members Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine MANAGING FOR RESILIENCE: and 42 percent do not meet the criteria KAHEKILI HERBIVORE FISHERY MANAGEMENT AREA for eligibility. The most common rea- son why sites are not eligible to join the As special places with specific conservation objectives and man- national system is that they lack a man- agement tools, MPAs provide opportunities to test and adapt man- agement plan. Management plans are agement approaches. In response to concerns about the long-term an essential component of effective decline of local coral reefs, the state of Hawaii created the Kahek- site management because they set out ili Herbivore Fishery Management Area (KHFMA) along a two-mile clear goals and objectives for the site, stretch of coastline in Ka’anapali, West Maui. Established in 2009, as well as management strategies for achieving these goals. Typically, they marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov the KHFMA adopted a form of management unique within Hawaii – protection of coral reef herbivores (i.e., surgeonfishes, parrotfishes, also require public engagement as well chubs and sea urchins) which may not be killed, injured or harvest- as periodic reviews and updates to in- ed. The goal of the KHFMA is to restore natural grazing processes corporate new information and chang- and thereby increase the reef’s ability to resist and recover from ex- ing conditions. cessive algal growth that harms corals. The KHFMA does not restrict Management effectiveness is the fishing of other types of finfish or invertebrates. degree to which management actions Beginning in 1999, summertime algal blooms were commonly are achieving the goals and objectives observed, coinciding with a significant decline in coral cover at of a protected area. There are many Kahekili Beach Park (from approximately 55 percent in 1994, when approaches to and components of monitoring began, to 30 percent in 2008). Although the causes of improving management effectiveness. those algal blooms are complex, local scientists and marine manag- NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Pro- ers theorized that protection of reef herbivores could reduce the se- gram is a partnership between NOAA verity and frequency of algal blooms and help check and potentially and state and territorial governments reverse declining condition of Kahekili reefs. To obtain baseline data before the MPA was implemented, the responsible for managing coral reefs. Hawai’i Department of Aquatic Resources, in partnership with the Through an MPA management assess- University of Hawai’i, began a comprehensive monitoring program ment checklist, the program can iden- in 2008. This involves one to two co-located surveys per year of fish- tify and fill priority MPA management es, urchins, and benthos (e.g., corals and algae) at 80 to 100 sites. capacity gaps. The fourteen areas iden- Monitoring is showing a consistent upward trend in the of tified on the checklist range from man- parrotfishes, which more than doubled between 2009 and 2012. The agement plans to building ecological number of large Bullethead Parrotfish has also steadily increased networks to climate change adaptation. since the KHFMA was established. Recovery of large parrotfishes As part of the management plan up- may be ecologically significant, as the deep excavating bites made date process, national marine sanctuar- by those large are believed to be especially important in pro- ies rely heavily on Sanctuary Advisory moting conditions that allow corals to thrive. As the MPA has been in Councils (SACs) made up of citizens place only three years, its full effects on fishes and corals are not yet representing diverse interests in the known. Surgeonfish, for example, which live longer than parrotfish local community. SACs help identify and are expected to recover more slowly, have shown no increase emerging issues, develop and assess in biomass. However, survey results show a strong positive link be- management alternatives and build tween parrotfish biomass and increased crustose coralline algae community support for sanctuary – benign algae that are important for successful coral settlement. management. Monitoring, assessment These promising signs of recovery may point the way to broader and public engagement are just some adoption of this management tool in other coral reef MPAs. of the tools used to improve manage- ment effectiveness. 15 PLANNING FOR VISITORS – AND SEA LEVEL RISE – AT GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Meeting the mission of the U.S. National Park accommodate both land and water-based recreation. Service (NPS) – conserving park resources and This access offers diverse urban populations with an values unimpaired for the enjoyment of current and opportunity to connect with nature, helping create fu- future generations – presents challenges in urban ture generations of ocean stewards. parks where visitor facilities and infrastructure are Gateway NRA also must plan for future flooding and threatened by storms and sea-level rise. The U.S. inundation of low-lying areas from storms such as Hur-

National Park System includes 85 parks on the ricane Sandy, which severely damaged the park in Oc- Areas Protected Marine ocean and Great Lakes with more than 17,700 kilo- tober 2012. NPS will construct and operate new visi-

meters of coast and one million hectares of marine tor facilities with the highest sustainability standards waters. Some of the most popular marine parks possible, including mobile or temporary structures that are those near major urban areas where the NPS can be removed to avoid damage. The park will transi- is expanding opportunities for visitors – especially tion recreational uses away from impacted areas, and young people in underserved communities – to ex- avoid or minimize building of new infrastructure in the perience nature and the outdoors. most vulnerable flood or storm surge zones. The plan For example, Gateway National Recreation Area also would protect sensitive habitats and wildlife from (NRA) in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan disturbance by visitors and restore ecosystems im-

area has a new draft management plan to provide pacted by pollution and shoreline development, which marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov better transportation access to beaches and bays. will increase resilience to sea-level rise and storms. Under the plan, visitors from the city would reach Through thoughtful planning, the park can continue to the water on new roads, foot trails and bike paths, expand recreational opportunities in this urban area or by ferry. Campsites and improved launching with great demand, while protecting the resources that areas for boats and windsports would be built to visitors come to experience. Photo: NPS Photo: 16 LOOKING FORWARD

The United States is fortunate to have and marine areas. While there are clearly vide. Moreover, U.S. efforts to develop a long history of place-based conserva- many MPAs covering large portions of ecologically connected MPA networks tion – such as national parks and national the U.S. , these are still at an early stage, with the note- wildlife refuges – that in recent decades sites vary widely in purpose, scope and worthy exception of California’s MPA have expanded increasingly into coastal level of resource protection they pro- network. U.S. MPA programs are work- Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine

marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov 17

ing on a wide range of challenges essen- identifying gaps in protection for impor- users. By working together through the tial to the overall success of our nation’s tant areas, building MPA networks and National System of MPAs, programs can marine conservation efforts and the social planning and managing MPAs in light share lessons learned, forge partnerships, and economic values they sustain: assess- of increasing demands on the oceans by and develop a strategic approach to ad- ing and improving MPA effectiveness, industrial, recreational, military and other dress these challenges. Marine Protected Areas Protected Marine

marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov Photo: Florida Keys NMS Florida Keys Photo: www.marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov

The National Marine Protected Areas Center is located within NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and works with the Department of the Interior to serve as a resource to all federal, state, territorial and tribal programs responsible for the health of the oceans.

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