marine protected area. A portion of the marine environment set aside by law or other regulations to protect and preserve its flora, fauna, historical, or cultural features. Marine protected areas have different levels of protection and use, and can be called many different names, such as reserves, preserves, sanctuaries, refuges, parks, fishery management zones, national seashores, national monuments, critical habitats, and conservation areas.
A Marine Protected Area is a marine or estuarine area seaward of the high tide line or the mouth of a coastal river, together with its overlying water and associated flora and fauna, that has been designated by the state to protect or conserve marine life and habitat.