Marine protected areas in ecosystem-based management of fisheries

Abstract

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide various levels of protection for marine ecosystems ranging from habitat protection to comprehensive protection of all biodiversity from the effects of human disturbance and use. All forms of MPAs make a contribution to the protection and management of biodiversity. The highest level of protection generally is provided in ‘no-take’ MPAs, where the intention is to fully protect species and their habitats from the removal of flora, fauna or the substrate.