 Less than 1 percent of the Earth's marine area has been designated
as protected. There is a need to protect endangered, threatened,
and rare species, conserve biodiversity and habitat of marine
areas and ecosystems, conserve life-history traits and genetic
diversity, and protect key breeding and migration sites. In
addition, MPAs can improve fishery management, help control
exploitation rates and reduce secondary fishing impacts. (Committee
et al., 2001)
Social and economic benefits are provided by MPAs. Among these
benefits are research and educational opportunities as well
as "sustainable recreational and commercial use of marine resources".
In addition, historical and cultural resources can be protected
by MPAs. (Marine Protected Areas of the United States (b), 2002)
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