The Offshore Marine Protected Areas (OMPA) project aims to facilitate the establishment of a protected offshore area with broad support from the various offshore sectors. It will span three years, and will develop objectives and guidelines for the establishment of these areas, collate scientific data and other information, and identify priority areas for protection. Guidelines for Offshore Marine Protected Areas in South Africa specifically addresses the guidelines for the establishment of offshore protected areas, and is aimed at the government departments using marine resources, industry stakeholders such as fishing, mining, petroleum, shipping, waste disposal and marine research, as well as the general public.