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Finback whales in the Gulf of the Saint-Lawrence River, Quebec. Courtesy of Ursula Tscherter - www.ores.org.

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Fish in Bacon Marine Reserve.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence that demonstrates the establishment of large-scale networks of marine reserves, which are urgently needed to protect marine species and their habitats, could be key to reversing the global fisheries decline and protecting the marine environment from pollution.

The World Conservation Congress defines a Marine Protected Area (MPA) as "any area of intertidal or subtidal terrain, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or the entire enclosed environment".

Large-scale marine reserves are areas that are closed to all extractive uses, such as fishing and mining, as well as disposal activities. Within these areas there may be core zones of scientific reference areas or very sensitive habitats where human activity is prohibited. Some areas within the coastal zone may be opened to small-scale, non-destructive fisheries providing that these are sustainable, within ecological limits, and have been decided upon with the full participation of affected local communities.

Marine reserves can have a wide range of benefits to adjacent fisheries. From the spillover of adult and juvenile fish, eggs and larvae beyond the reserve boundaries, to improved reproductive abilities and increases in the size and length of life of populations within the reserve, species are allowed to recover within the boundaries before traveling beyond. Highly migratory species, such as sharks, tuna and billfish, can also benefit if reserves are created in places where they are currently highly vulnerable, such as nursery grounds, spawning areas or aggregation sites such as seamounts.