1. Marine Conservation
Marine protected areas and reserves

2. We can protect areas in the ocean
Marine protected areas (MPAs) = most are along the coastlines of developed countries
They still allow fishing or other extractive activities
Marine reserves = areas where fishing is prohibited
Leave ecosystems intact, without human interference
Improve fisheries, because young fish will disperse into surrounding areas
Many commercial, recreation fishers, and businesses do not support reserves
Be sensitive to concerns of local residents

3. Reserves work for both fish and fisheries
Marine reserves:
Increased densities of organisms by 91%
Increased biomass by 192%
Increased organism size by 31%
Increased species diversity by 23%
Benefits inside reserve boundaries include:
Rapid and long-term increases in abundance, diversity, and productivity of marine organisms
Decreased mortality and habitat destruction
Decreased likelihood of extirpation of species

4. Areas outside reserves also benefit
A “spillover effect” occurs when individuals of protected species spread outside reserves
Larvae of species protected within reserves “seed the seas” outside reserves
Improved fishing and ecotourism
Local residents who were opposed support reserves once they see their benefits
Once commercial trawling was stopped on Georges Bank:
Populations of organisms began to recover
Fishing in adjacent waters increased

5. How should reserves be designed?
20–50% of the ocean should be protected in no-take reserves
How large?
How many?
Where?
Involving fishers is crucial in coming up with answers

7. Conclusion
Oceans cover most of our planet and contain diverse topography and ecosystems
As we learn about oceans and coastal environments, we are intensifying our use of their resources and causing severe impacts
We need to address acidification, loss of coral reefs, pollution, and fisheries depletion
Setting aside protected areas can maintain and restore natural systems and enhance fisheries
Consumer choices can help us move toward sustainable fishing

8. V Marine Conservation
How does a marine reserve differ from a marine protected area? Why do many fishers oppose marine reserves?
Explain why scientists say no-take reserves will be good for fishers.
Consider what you know about biological productivity in the oceans, about the scientific data on marine reserves and about social and political issues surrounding the establishment of marine reserves. What type of ocean regions do you think it would be particularly appropriate to establish as marine reserve? Why?