Solutions

Marine Protected Areas: Parks in the Sea

Governments started creating parks and wilderness reserves on land more than a century ago. It’s time to give our oceans the same attention. Less than 1 percent of the world’s ocean is protected, much of this protection in name only. Preserving special places in the ocean will provide a haven for ocean life as fish and other creatures reproduce and raise their young.

Studies show that protected marine areas have bigger fish, a greater diversity of life and higher productivity than similar areas open to fishing. Establishing marine protected areas is one of the best ways that we can ensure the ocean’s ability to sustain and restore its extraordinary diversity.

Existing marine protected areas provide great opportunities to observe life underwater. Depending on the location, visitors can snorkel, dive shipwrecks or go on whale-watching expeditions. Follow the links below to learn more about the need for marine protected areas and see some that you can visit.

Visit Marine Protected Areas
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Case Studies from NRDC
Point Lobos Marine Reserve
More Case Studies (on NRDC.org)

Background
Keeping Oceans Wild: How Marine Reserves Protect Our Living Seas (on NRDC.org)