The committee is supported by the National Marine Protected Areas Center, established within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior. The center is charged with working with states, tribes, and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and effective national system of marine protected areas (MPA) to conserve the nation’s natural and cultural heritage.

“I am pleased to present this group of highly qualified stakeholders with broad and diverse ocean interests,” said Joseph Uravitch, director of the National MPA Center. “These individuals play an important role in the conservation and sustainable use of America’s marine resources for present and future generations.”

Required as part of Presidential Executive Order 13158, which called for the creation of a national system of marine protected areas, the 30-person committee represents a wide range of stakeholder interests, including representatives of natural and social scientists, commercial and recreational fishermen, energy and tourism industries, state and tribal resource managers, and environmentalists. In addition, nine representatives of federal agencies serve in a non-voting capacity.

The advisory committee’s duties include providing advice and recommendations to the secretaries of commerce and the interior on implementation of aspects of MPA Executive Order 13158 of May 26, 2000.