Country information
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
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
Current status of MSP
Name of the plan |
Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2016 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: N/A |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Sub-national |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2016 | ||
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A | ||
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: N/A |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Sub-national |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
Long Island Sound Blue Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2021 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: N/A |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Local |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2020 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current state |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: N/A |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Local |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2015 | ||
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A | ||
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: Underway |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Local |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
New York Ocean Action Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
N/A |
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: N/A |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Local |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
Oregon Territorial Sea Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
Amended in 2019 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Complete |
Plan review
|
Status: Complete |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Local |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2010; Appendix updated 2013 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Currents |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: N/A |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Local |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
Marine Spatial Plan for Washington’s Pacific Coast |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
Updated in 2018 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Complete |
Plan review
|
Status: Complete |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Local |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
Name of the plan |
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Management Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2008 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
N/A |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
N/A |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development
|
Status: Complete |
Plan completion
|
Status: Complete |
Plan approval
|
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: N/A |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (Local/ Sub-national/ National)
|
Local |
Scope (Coastal Zone /Coastal and Marine /Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (Strategic /Zoning /Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (Informal /Executive decision / Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (Guiding /Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (Biodiversity conservation / Economic development / Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (Limited / Partial allocation /Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (Limited /Key sectors /Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (Informative /Consultative /Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (Government /Public-Private /Grants)
|
N/A |
National authority in charge of MSP |
N/A |
Governmental funding |
N/A |
External funding |
N/A |
Public-Private funding |
N/A |
Size of planning area |
N/A |
Time required to complete the planning document |
N/A |
Main issues that led to the adoption of MSP (drivers) |
N/A |
Stakeholder engagement activities |
N/A |
Sectors included in planning |
N/A |
Articulation between MSP and coastal zone management |
N/A |
Articulation between MSP and marine protected areas |
N/A |
Articulation between MSP and sustainable blue economy |
N/A |
Plan approval process |
N/A |
Legal status of the plan (guiding or legally binding) |
N/A |
Plan review process |
N/A |
Performance monitoring and evaluation |
N/A |
Legal framework
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.
Contact
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Trisha Bergmann– International Affairs Specialist