What Is the Difference Between a Marine Reserve & a Marine Protected Area?

Marine Protected Area Features

• MPAs can include a wide range of habitats such as open ocean, coastal areas, inter-tidal zones and estuaries. Besides marine reserves, national seashores, submerged cultural resources (such as shipwrecks) and fishery management zones are also included under the broad category of MPAs. Some MPAs are heavily restricted from commercial or recreational use, while others are set up specifically for those purposes.

Marine Reserve Features

• Marine reserves, which are also known as ecological or no-talk reserves, are some of the most heavily restricted MPAs. Neither recreational or commercial activities can take place in these areas, as they are set aside for conservation and scientific research.

Uses for Both

• The main reason for MPAs and marine reserves is to protect and conserve. They guard ecosystems against activities that could harm the plants and wildlife native to the areas. They also create sites where scientific studies can be done without fear of interruption or corruption by intruders taking part in commercial or recreational activities.

Examples of Each

• The Matu'u and Fageneanea Village in American Samoa is registered as a Marine Protected Area. To conserve the cultural heritage of the area, and to protect the local ecosystem, commercial fishing is prohibited. The Asilomar State Marine Reserve in California is set up to conserve national heritage and protect the local ecosystem. To accomplish this, it prohibits both commercial and recreational fishing in the area.