Does the Executive Order establish new MPAs?
The Executive Order does not establish any new MPAs nor does it provide new regulatory or statutory authority to establish new MPAs. Rather, it calls for an evaluation, including an inventory, of the current collection of MPAs; the creation of a publicly accessible resource center on MPAs; and the establishment of an MPA Federal Advisory Committee to provide expert guidance throughout implementation of the Executive Order. New MPAs may be established consistent with public review processes specified in existing statutes, such as the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
