Navigating the nation´s marine managed areas: incorporation of MMA information into the nation´s navigational products

The maritime community has long relied on the U.S. Coast Pilotreg, navigational charts, and other navigational aids produced by NOAA to educate themselves on coastal issues relating to safe navigation and access to marine commerce. However, those publications have traditionally only provided limited information by which the maritime community could help protect environmental resources, and avoid violating environmental laws and regulations. Incorporation of environmental information into these publications, such as information on Marine Managed Areas (MMAs), will assist mariners and others in understanding the location, purpose, jurisdictions and allowed activities within these areas. Such an effort will increase protection for our nation\´s MMAs, as well as enhance safe navigation. To accomplish this task, NOAA\´s National Marine Protected Areas Center (NMPAC/OCRM/NOS) and NOAA\´s Office of Coast Survey (OCS/NOS) are jointly producing a project called, "Navigating the Nation\´s Marine Managed Areas." This project will incorporate key information about existing MMAs into NOAA\´s navigational products. As a first step, MMA information is being incorporated into the U.S. Coast Pilot. Other navigational products produced by NOAA will be considered later