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Given the conservative 10% target for coverage, clear thought must be given to maximizing the influence of each protected unit of ocean. We again emphasize that it is not the size of individual sanctuaries that is the most important matter, but rather the global scale of coverage (Guenétte , et . al., 2003).
There are several general principles that should be followed when selecting locations for marine reserves. To properly function as a buffer against external exploitation, the 10% of ocean area must include a globally representative sample of habitats and ecosystems (Ballantine 1991). Particular emphasis should be placed on protecting especially fragile, unique, or threatened ecosystems. Furthermore, when possible, multiple, discrete examples of each habitat type should be protected to insure against localized disturbances. Finally, individual Marine Reserves should be set up in mutually reinforcing networks to maximize their collective influence. The proper layout of such systems relies heavily on accurate knowledge of the physical processes in a given area, especially the activity of advective and convective current systems, and the biological responses to such physical factors (Johnson, Funicelli, & Bohnsack 1999 and Ballantine 1991). As such, continual refinement of such data through future research is very important to effective placement of the Marine Reserves.
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