On 16 May 2008, the Committee of the Regions, in Brussels, Belgium, hosted the Institute for European Environmental Policy and the Natural Resources Defense Council Transatlantic Conference on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The Conference’s objective was to improve understanding of EU and US policies and legislation relating to MPAs with the aim of sharing best practice in the establishment and development of MPA networks. Participants considered how to build up a coherent network of MPAs in a complex and conflicting ecological, legislative, political, and social environment, and how to successfully and efficiently design, implement and manage more integrated MPAs. The outcome of the meeting includes key points emerging from three break-out sessions on: the approach for designation of MPAs; the way to integrate other activities within an MPA; and the political and legal aspects of MPA networks (IISDRS sources).
Link to further information
Conference website