The National Marine Protected Areas Center has published an updated Framework for the National System of Marine Protected Areas of the United States for public comment until December 26. First published in 2008, the Framework provides overarching guidance on the development and implementation of the National System. The purpose of the National System is to build management capacity among MPA programs, coordinate collaborative efforts to address common management issues and identify ecosystem-based gaps in the protection of significant natural and cultural resources for possible future action by the nation's MPA authorities.  The Updated Framework was developed by the MPA Center in close consultation with staff at the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries.  It uses experience gained implementing the National System and advice from the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee (MPA FAC) and MPA programs. 

The IUCN World Parks Congress - to be held November 12-19 in Sydney, Australia -- is a landmark global forum on protected areas. Held only every 10 years, the Congress will share knowledge and innovation, setting the agenda for protected areas conservation for the decade to come. Over 5,000 protected area professionals from all over the world are expected to attend, and there will be over 150 marine sessions. Can't make it? No problem - join us online. Here are some ways to get involved:

* Watch Ocean TV - produced by the French MPA Agency. The web channel will feature daily magazines highlighting marine content from the Congress.

* Check the WPC marine page for updates on MPA sessions and events at the Congress

* Participate in Google hangouts on the Great Barrier Reef, Big Ocean (Network of Very Large MPAs), High Seas and Catlin Seaview's amazing video footage of MPAs

* Join us via Twitter: #WPCMarine

* Check in at the WPC website for daily summaries of the Congress.

* Read and comment on "the Promise of Sydney" - a set of bold directions and commitments to their implementation that have been posted in draft on the WPC website and will be revised based on dialogue in Sydney.