United States of America

Basic facts on marine waters

• Territorial sea (12 nm zone): 900 000 km2
• Exclusive Economic Zone: 12 400 000 km2

Strategic documents related to MSP

• Ocean Policy Committee
• Coastal Zone Management Act
• National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Strategic Plan (2018-2023)
• Mapping the coast of Alaska- A 10-Year Strategy in support of the United States Economy, Security, and Environment

Technical resources related to MSP

• NOAA- NMFS- National Endangered Species Act (ESA)  Critical Habitat Mapper
• Aquaculture Opportunity Area Atlas – Southern California Bight
• Aquaculture Opportunity Area Atlas – for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico
• Ocean Reports
• Coastal Aquaculture Planning Portal
• NCCOS BIOMapper
• EO 13921: Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (Section 7: Development of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas)
• National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Publications and Resources

Relevant MSP projects

• National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP)

Current main uses:

There is no formal overarching Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, legal framework or founding legislation in the United States. There are many laws and tribal treaties that relate to area-based management, including those governing offshore energy development, fishing, ocean transportation and marine protected areas.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Joseph Naughton– Program Analyst

Last updated: July 2022

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