Blog

Report Identifies 4,200+ Conservation Areas Equal to ~500 Percent of U.S. Marine Waters

The National Ocean Policy Coalition (NOPC) released the first-of-its-kind assessment of U.S. federal and state conservation actions throughout the nation’s marine waters.

Analyzing actions across state, territorial, and federal waters, including the Great Lakes, and utilizing data from authoritative governmental and federal partner resources, the assessment identifies over 4,200 sites spanning nearly 62 million square kilometers that are currently being managed for conservation and/or safety purposes and providing conservation outcomes.  The assessment found that existing U.S. marine conservation actions cover an area equivalent to nearly 500 percent of all U.S. marine waters.

“More than a number, the findings underscore the broad reach of U.S. conservation actions nationally and across regions,” said NOPC Executive Director Brent Greenfield.  “As policymakers and others consider new marine conservation actions in the United States, including through the ‘America the Beautiful’ initiative, it is imperative that we first understand and recognize the varied actions in place that are already providing conservation outcomes.  We are hopeful that this assessment will serve as a useful resource to help gain that understanding and ensure well-informed decisions that support the Blue Economy while conserving marine resources.”

Region-specific findings reflect the comprehensive nature of marine conservation today, with existing conservation actions identified as follows:

• Atlantic: 1,795 sites covering area equivalent to 1575% of region’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
• Gulf of Mexico: 856 sites covering area equivalent to 787% of region’s EEZ
• West Coast: 744 sites covering area equivalent to 682% of region’s EEZ
• Alaska: 340 sites covering area equivalent to 533% of region’s EEZ
• Hawaii/Pacific Islands: 255 sites covering area equivalent to 328% of region’s EEZ
• Caribbean: 81 sites covering area equivalent to 37% of region’s EEZ
• Great Lakes: 161 sites covering area equivalent to 52% of Lake Michigan

NOPC’s marine conservation assessment includes analysis of marine protected areas including sanctuaries, monuments, parks, and refuges, critical habitat areas, shipping safety fairways, anchorage areas, energy leasing withdrawals, Department of Defense restricted areas and danger zones, regulated navigation areas and limited access areas, and biodiversity protection/fisheries management measures.

About NOPC

As an organization of diverse interests representing sectors and entities that span the Blue Economy, the National Ocean Policy Coalition supports the development and implementation of sound, balanced ocean policies that recognize and enhance the critical role that our oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and marine and terrestrial ecosystems play in our nation’s economy, national security, culture, health, and well-being while conserving the natural resources and marine habitat of our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes regions for current and future generations.  The Coalition includes interests ranging from fishing and energy to waterborne transportation and beyond that depend on ocean access to provide the nation with economic, environmental, and societal benefits.