The National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) Area is the geographic area management and reporting unit for Ireland's NMPF reporting. The NMPF sits at the top of the hierarchy of plans and sectoral policies for the marine area of Ireland. Marine planning brings together multiple users of the ocean to make informed and coordinated decisions on the sustainable use of marine resources. EU Directive 2014/89/EU, establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning, was adopted in July 2014. The European Union (Framework for Maritime Spatial Planning) Regulations 2016 were signed into law on 29th June 2016. The NMPF is managed by the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government (DHPLG) with monitoring support provided by the Marine Institute. The area applies from the High Water Mark in Ireland’s coastal waters, territorial seas, exclusive economic zone and in designated parts of the continental shelf. Ireland’s marine area totals over 488,000 Km2.