The National Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center’s mission is to facilitate the effective use of science, technology, training, and information in the planning, management, and evaluation of the nation’s system of marine protected areas. The MPA Center, located within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), develops operational and programme policy, supports the MPA Federal Advisory Committee, manages national, regional, and international MPA coordination, conducts outreach and education, consults with federal agencies, state agencies, tribal agencies, fishery management councils, and others, maintains the U.S. MPA website, and oversees the collection of data for the marine managed areas inventory.