Scientific research has indicated that carefully crafted marine reserves can be effective tools for conservation of biodiversity and habitats. Marine reserves may be used as a means to restore degraded areas and as a precautionary tool to conserve a range of representative habitats and biodiversity. Well designed reserves generally contain higher species diversity, more abundant species, and larger fish within their boundaries relative to similar areas outside the reserve. They are one of many useful tools needed to to prevent, slow, or reverse negative habitat and ecosystem changes within the Sanctuary. More...

Additional Background Information:
To learn about the ecological effectiveness of the three subtidal marine reserves in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Hopkins Marine Life Refuge, Point Lobos Ecological Reserve, Big Creek Ecological Reserve) and the one in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (the natural area on the north side of East Anacapa Island), download the report by Starr and others (2002) entitled, A Review of the Ecological Effectiveness of Subtidal Marine Reserves in Central California, Part 1: Synopsis of Scientific Investigations.”

To learn how the three subtidal marine reserves in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Hopkins Marine Life Refuge, Point Lobos Ecological Reserve, Big Creek Ecological Reserve) and the one in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (the natural area on the north side of East Anacapa Island) compare with the predicted benefits of the goals listed in the Marine Protected Areas report by the National Research Council (2001), download the report by Starr and others (2002) entitled, “A Review of the Ecological Effectiveness of Subtidal Marine Reserves in Central California, Part II: Summary of Existing Marine Reserves in Central California and their Potential Benefits.”