Marine Conservation Institute and the Waitt Foundation provide this interactive tool to help users visualize the locations and coverage of global marine protected areas (MPA). This atlas provides information on over 8000 MPAs globally, drawing on datasets from the World Database on Protected Areas¹, US MPA Center², and other country- and regional-level data authorities, as well as research conducted by the Marine Conservation Institute.

In addition to MPA boundaries and site management information, this dataset contains information on conservation measures with a particular focus on those restricting the exploitation of marine life.

Features on this site are designed to allow users to understand (1) where current protection exists and at what level, and (2), where important areas for future protection are and any processes underway to establish MPAs. This provides vital information to countries and their citizens interested in ocean conservation, management and stewardship.

The dataset is constantly being updated and we welcome visitors to the site to provide feedback and update content by creating a member account on MPAtlas today.

Major Data Sources:
1: IUCN and UNEP. 2010. The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). UNEP-WCMC. Cambridge, UK. www.protectedplanet.net
2: US MPA Center. 2012. Marine Protected Areas Inventory. http://www.mpa.gov/dataanalysis/mpainventory/