Ocean water and species move across international boundaries. Technologies required to accurately track and predict their movements are essential in managing human activities affecting marine ecosystems. Critical transboundary ecosystem issues are affected by climate change. These problems require the scientific study and global solutions discussed in this session by U.S. and Canadian scientists and industry. A central question associated with design and implementation of marine protected area (MPA) networks is to understand the movements of species. Where organisms originate from (spawning grounds), where they move to (adult and larval dispersal), and how quickly they move (influences growth and survival) are important considerations in determining where MPA networks should be located, the strength of their connectivity, and the effectiveness of a network of MPAs in protecting critical life stages of species. Understanding and accurately predicting the movement of species is inherently a biophysical challenge. Research in accurately assessing movement of species is ongoing in dart, acoustic, and satellite tagging studies (animal telemetry); molecular, stable isotope and geochemical analysis; and physical process and ocean circulation models. As species and water move across political boundaries, close communication and collaboration among nations are essential in assessing the effectiveness of MPA networks in protecting life stages of species and their associated habitats.