The Habitat Ecology Team in the Fisheries Ecology Division at SWFSC leads efforts to evaluate marine protected areas (MPAs) as a supplemental tool for groundfish management on the West Coast. The National Marine Protected Area Center (NMPAC) Science Institute, established under Executive Order 13158 on MPAs, is co-located with the Fisheries Ecology Division at SWFSC's Santa Cruz Facility. The NMPAC provides coordination and support of MPA research, design, monitoring schemes and management strategies. The Fisheries Ecology Division in partnership with the NMPAC have commenced several projects to improve the science and management of marine resources. Principal among these projects is a working group effort to integrate the science of marine protected areas and fisheries science and management, MPA Science Integration.