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Benefits of Marine Protected Areas:
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Marine Protected Areas, and in particular, no-take marine reserves, possess attributes that set them apart from traditional marine management Since they are ecosystem-based, they do not require large amounts of species-specific, qualitative data to be effective, a significant flaw of traditional management. Fundamentally, MPAs are proactive, rather than reactive; they provide a buffer and "insurance policy" against inaccuracies in science and policy. Furthermore, by maintaining or restoring natural systems, MPAs provide a valuable scientific "baseline" or "control" to better judge activities outside of their boundaries. Also well established are the positive role of MPAs in education, tourism, recreation, and critical ecosystem services.
The challenge:unmigrated-wiki-markup
As it stands today, roughly 0.7% of the world ocean is protected in some way (in contrast 11.5% of land areas re protected in some way).\[4\] THIS IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH to have a globally significant impact. Furthermore, the rate at which the MPAs are growing is far lower than the human ability to exploit the oceans. Hence, the challenge is to expand coverage to a more significant level, as quickly as possible, while limiting the impact on human culture and economics.
The Goal and Plan:
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In areas outside of the no-take zones, lesser restrictions will almost certainly be necessary. Traditional management schemes, such as gear restrictions, quotas, or days-at-sea limitations, are all possibilities. In any case, it is important to note that the intent is for MPAs to work in conjunction with other management schemes.
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Given the limited coverage area, clear thought must be given to maximizing the influence of each unit. We reiterate that the size of individual sanctuaries is not the most important matter, but rather the global scale of coverage. Within the proposed 10%, a representative sample of habitats and ecosystems should be protected. Furthermore, multiple examples of each habitat should be protected to insure against localized disturbances. Finally, individual MPAs should be located in mutually reinforcing "networks," to maximize their influence.unmigrated-wiki-markup
Although the MPAs in this proposal are intended to protect entire ecosystems, we acknowledge that there are secondary biological or economic situations in which a certain organism is of particular importance. In such cases, an understanding of the relevant biology and ecology can, for example, allow key life stages or migration routes to be protected by careful placement of reserves. A land-based analogy may be the protection of bird nesting sites and reserves for migratory birds, respectively.\[6\]
Implementation:
In principle, there is nothing wrong with an international approach to marine management. Indeed, if some international organization can provide a "vision" and moral support, it would be extremely beneficial. However, the details of implementation can most effectively be handled on a more local or regional basis. States have the established legislative and financial machinery to mandate and fund the creation of MPAs, something lacked by virtually all current International bodies. Even more practically, there is the sovereignty issue of direct enforcement in territorial waters.
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[2\] _{+}Ibid.+_
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[3\] Russ, GR; Alcala, AC; Maypa, AP. *_"_{*}Spilloverfrom marine reserves: The case of _Naso vlamingii_ at ApoIsland, The Philippines" Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., Vol. 264, pp. 15-20. 2003.
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[4\] D. Pauly. Lecture. _and_ UNEP World Database on Protected Areas. <http<http://www.unep-wcmc.org/wdpa/>.
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[5\] Agardy T., et. al. "Ideological Clashes around marine protected areas." Aquatic Conservation 13(4): 353-367.
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[6\]Guenette, S; Pitcher, TJ; Walters, CJ. "The Potential of Marine Reserves for the management of northern cod in Newfoundland." _ Bulletin of Marine Science,_ 66(3): 831-852, 2000.
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[7\] 16 United States Code § 1431