The Agoa Sanctuary is a marine protected area (MPA) of international status. This area, specially protected under the Cartagena Convention, is managed by the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB).

The French Biodiversity Agency is a State public institution created on January, 1st 2020, placed under the supervision of the Ministries of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion and Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. Its remits are the monitoring, preservation, management and restoration of terrestrial, aquatic and marine biodiversity, as well as the balanced and sustainable management of water, in France and in the overseas territories. It is responsible for developing scientific and technical knowledge of species, environments and their uses, monitoring and controlling environmental damage, managing protected areas, supporting the implementation of public policies, and mobilising society as a whole, both socio-economic stakeholders and citizens.

MPAs are delimited areas at sea that meet long-term nature protection objectives. The French Environmental Code currently recognises 15 types of marine protected areas. New categories can be recognised by ministerial decrees. Most marine protected areas make it possible to reconcile protection issues with the sustainable development of activities. Their modes of governance most often include users, elected officials and experts in the management of listed marine areas. The French Biodiversity Agency facilitates the network of French marine protected areas and contributes to the participation of France in the setting up and management of marine protected areas decided at international level.

• 2800 agents (including 1900 in Metropolitan French local units and in Overseas France)
• National and regional divisions and their local units, with complementary and highly intertwined actions, located in Metropolitan and Overseas France
• 8 marine natural parks and the Agoa Sanctuary for marine mammals
• 26 nature reserves