The National Marine Protected Areas Center (NMPAC), working with several agency and nongovernmental partners, has developed a national strategy for social science research. This document identifies high priority needs for social science information that are fundamental to the planning, management and evaluation of MPAs and recommends practical ways to meet them through research, assessment, capacity building and leveraged funding. The issues identified here are national – and even international – in scope and apply to MPAs designed for many purposes under many jurisdictions.