management title graphic

International Program

Pouring forth its seas everywhere, then, the ocean
envelops the earth and fills its deeper chasms.
- Nicolaus Copernicus

basket boat in vietnam
Basket boats used for nearshore fishing and ecotourism in Vietnam. (Photo: Ed Lindelof, NMSP)
Salt water spills over nearly three-quarters of the planet Earth, linking the islands we call continents. The oceans grandly ignore our human borders and boundaries. Fish, turtles and whales swim where they have for thousands of years. Corals spawn and kelp grows where natural conditions allow. Protection and conservation of the ocean requires action on a different, global scale.

The National Marine Sanctuary International Program is doing just that through international partnerships, exchanges and projects. Our international work helps strengthen global marine resource protection in the U.S. and internationally. Our international partnerships help build better technical and MPA management capacity in sanctuary staff and in our colleagues throughout the world. The International Program explores new management approaches to improve global marine resource protection while achieving one of the National Marine Sanctuary Program’s main purposes, to cooperate globally with other marine protected area programs.

open air market in vietnam
Vietnamese open air market. (Photo: Ed Lindelof, NMSP)
Our International Program works in tandem with the National Ocean Service’s International Program Office and NOAA’s Office of International Affairs.

International Action Plan

The International Action Plan is the primary planning document guiding the development of the National Marine Sanctuary International Program. It contains the specific strategies and activities, performance measures, protocols and guidelines for our international work.

iguanas sunning themselves in Galapagos
Marine iguanas sun themselves in the Galapagos. (Photo: Elizabeth Moore, NMSP)

leaving site indicates a link leaves the site. Please view our Link Disclaimer for more information.
Revised September 12, 2023 by Sanctuaries Web Team | Contact Us | Web Site Owner: National Ocean Service
National Ocean Service | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | Privacy Policy | For Employees | User Survey
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/includes/np_footer.html