The previous phase of this project was the “Transatlantic MPA Project”. It was set up by the European Commission to promote cooperation between managers of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in countries and territories around the Atlantic Ocean. It was designed to stimulate exchange and the sharing of best practice to improve the effective management of MPAs in coastal and offshore areas of the Atlantic. The project was inspired by the concept of Atlanticism that includes Africa and South America as well as Europe and North America.