Marine policy-making is in a state of reform. Marine ecosystem-based management and marine protected areas have emerged in response to declines in ocean conditions. Understanding societal interests, responses, and capacities is fundamental to effective policy-making and program implementation. This symposium, based on the findings of a National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis working group and new Coastal Management journal theme issue, will present the analysis of thousands of interviews and field experience of practitioners in various countries. This symposium will include some of the first comprehensive and comparative analyses of the human dimensions of marine ecosystem-based management and the marine protected area (MPA). Findings explore local social dynamics, cooperative planning processes, conflict and conflict resolution, effective program management, and education. This research has direct relevance to important and ambitious emerging programs such as the Large Marine Ecosystem program and the Coral Triangle Initiative, which influence large areas of ocean space.