Conservation in Marine Science - Marine Protected Areas

Definition: An area where any removal of resources is strictly prohibited.
Exceptions: There are occasionally small exceptions made for aboriginal or artisanal uses, provided they are low impact.
Core Objective: To conserve "outstanding" ecosystems. These are defined as areas that are currently more-or-less natural and pristine, exhibiting little influence from human activities.
Management Requirements: These areas should not require intensive ongoing efforts to achieve conservation objectives because the ecosystem is already in a natural state.
Case Study Example: - Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary: Located near the Channel Islands, this site serves as a representative example of a Marine Reserve.

Definition: An area predominantly oriented toward protecting and conserving the "ecological integrity of natural areas."
Historical Milestone: The first marine wilderness area was established in 2012 off the Point Reyes National Seashore specifically to protect oyster beds.
Infrastructure Restrictions: The area must be free of modern infrastructure, including but not limited to: - Roads. - Dams. - Pipelines. - Oil and gas platforms. - Any other permanent structures.
Geographic Context for Point Reyes: - Location: Marin County. - Proximity: Near San Francisco and Oakland.

Definition: Areas that may allow limited fishing or recreational activities within restricted locations.
Dual Objectives: 1. To protect "biodiversity." 2. To promote "education and recreation."
Ecosystem State: The area should have a relatively intact ecosystem.
Management Approach: May require varying degrees of management to maintain a successful balance between public use and natural ecology.
Case Study Example: - Hallyeohaesang National Park, South Korea: Located across areas including the West Sea, South Sea, and East Sea. - Specific Locations Mentioned: Gyeongnam, Sacheon, Gamam, Neukdo, Geoje, Dala, Odongdo, Sangju, Bijindo, Dapo Songdo, and Somaemuldo. - Coordinates Referenced: Between $33^ ext{o}\text{N}$ and $37^ ext{o}\text{N}$ , and around $128.02^ ext{o}\text{E}$ , $128.20^ ext{o}\text{E}$ , and $128.40^ ext{o}\text{E}$ .

Definition: Protected areas focused on historic sites, such as shipwrecks, or cultural sites.
Primary Objective: To protect an "outstanding natural feature" and the habitat surrounding it.
Scope of Protection: Protection is centered around a specific feature, such as a unique geologic formation or specific water features (e.g., spray zones or eddies).
Case Study Example: - Blue Hole National Monument, Belize: Located within the Lighthouse Reef Atoll in the Caribbean Sea. - Associated Dive Sites and Locations: Sandbore Caye, Northern Two Cayes, West Point I & II, The Great Blue Hole, Southwest Cut, The Aquarium, Silver Caves, Cathedral Reef, Que Brada, Long Caye Ridge, Tres Cocos, Hat Caye Drop-off, Hat Caye, Eagle Ray Wall, Nurse Shark Lodge, Long Caye, Half Moon Wall, and Half Moon Caye.

Definition: An area where the removal of resources is allowed, but only under somewhat strict management controls.
Focus: The primary management focus is on specific species in conjunction with their habitat.
Priority Criteria: Preference is given to the protection of species that possess unique cultural, historical, economic, or ecological significance.
Case Study Example: - South Ari Atoll, Maldives: Located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka.

Definition: Coastal areas (including land) of pristine value for scenic or other cultural reasons, with management aimed at maintaining overall use.
Associations: These areas are often associated with unique geologic formations or unusual (endemic) assemblages of species.
Case Study Example: - Apo Island, Philippines: Located within the Coral Triangle in the Pacific Ocean.

Definition: A category encompassing a wide variety of management schemes, ranging from heavy to very limited management.
Core Objective: To manage and sustain ecologically and economically important resources in instances where conservation efforts benefit both.
Philosophy: Focuses on preserving natural resources based on sustainable harvesting for future generations. It is implemented when management is deemed necessary to preserve critical cultural or economic ways of life.
Case Study Example: - Menai Bay Conservation Area, Zanzibar, Tanzania. - Related Conservation Areas in the Region: Tumbatu Conservation Area, Mnemba-Chwaka Bay Conservation Area, Stone Town Heritage Site, Changuu-Bawe Conservation Area, and Chumbe Island Sanctuary.

Legal Definition: The term "marine sanctuary" is not an official IUCN category. It is a specific designation used by the United States.
Legislation: Established under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
Status: Currently, there are 16 marine sanctuaries in U.S. waters. Although they use the U.S. nomenclature, all have some level of formal IUCN recognition.

West Coast and Pacific: - Olympic Coast - Greater Farallones - Cordell Bank - Monterey Bay - Chumash Heritage - Channel Islands - Papahānaumokuākea - Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale - Pacific Remote Islands - American Samoa (U.S.) / Rose Atoll
Great Lakes and Interior: - Thunder Bay - Lake Ontario (Proposed) - Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast - Lake Erie Quadrangle (Proposed)
East Coast and Atlantic: - Stellwagen Bank - Hudson Canyon (Proposed) - Mallows Bay-Potomac River - Monitor - Gray's Reef - Florida Keys
Gulf of Mexico: - Flower Garden Banks

Resource: NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries customized the GEBCO world map for site identification.
Depth Measurements: Bathymetric tints on mapping correspond to corrected meters below mean sea level.
Scale Increments: Visual maps track depths at intervals of $200$ , $500$ , $1000$ , $2000$ , $3000$ , $4000$ , $5000$ , $6000$ , and $7000\text{ meters}$ .