Protected areas

It is important to conserve coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs and beaches. All the fauna inhabitants of these ecosystems need to be conserved with equal passion, as does the water quality that they all ultimately depend on. As urbanisation claims more land the value of the remaining areas that are ecologically important, rare breeding grounds, foraging area, very productive or biodiverse areas will increase, as to will the need to protect them. Currently, though the oceans account for 70% of Earth's surface, less than 1% of the marine environment is within protected areas, compared with nearly 9% of land.

 

Reserves and protected areas are renowned as an excellent method of protecting marine ecosystems and if properly managed (see Best Management Practices) all user groups can be satisfied. Ownership is an important aspect to consider. If a proposed protected area is owned by the government then creating a protected area will be easier than if the land is privately owned because a proprietor does have the right to refuse access or use or changes to his/her land.

A marine protected area is an area of sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biodiversity, protection of endangered/threatened species, and can serve as a recruitment pool for other areas e.g. where there is intensive fishing.

Protected areas have different designations and associated levels of protection depending on the precise needs of the ecosystem and human population in the area. IUCN has defined a series of protected area management categories based on management objectives:

 

• CATEGORY Ia: Strict Nature Reserve: protected area managed mainly for science
• CATEGORY Ib: Wilderness Area: protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection
• CATEGORY II: National Park: protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation
• CATEGORY III: Natural Monument: protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features
• CATEGORY IV: Habitat/Species Management Area: protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention
• CATEGORY V: Protected Landscape/Seascape: protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and recreation
• CATEGORY VI: Managed Resource Protected Area: protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems