New Mapping Tool for Stories on Marine Protected Areas

A mapping tool that makes it easy to identify and find basic information about the 1,637 US marine protected areas is now available. NOAA announced the launch of the multifaceted tool on March 30, 2010.

• "NOAA Launches Interactive Marine Protected Areas Mapping Tool."

If you already know the name of the protected area, you can click on its name and get a wide range of information, such as location, boundaries, size, year established, types of fishing restrictions, and more. You can also search for protected areas by region, and zoom in at a number of scales. The main Web site also has a full list of all protected areas, and extensive related information.

• National Marine Protected Areas Center.