Advocates for Wild, Healthy Oceans
1725 DeSales Street, NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
202.429.5609 Telephone
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www.oceanconservancy.org
No-take Marine Reserve Basics
Q. What is a no-take marine reserve?
A. No-take marine reserves are places in the ocean that are completely protected from uses that
remove animals and plants or alter their habitats. Such reserves protect marine habitats and the
diversity of animals and plants that live within those habitats. Many species within the reserves
tend to live in greater numbers, grow larger, and reproduce more than their counterparts outside
reserves.
Q. What are the benefits within the no-take marine reserve?
A. Evidence from over 80 marine reserve sites show rapid positive results, once protections are
established. Among the benefits are an increase in the size of individual fish, populations, and
reproductive output. Protection from fishing allows animals to survive longer and grow larger.
Habitats within the reserves can recover quickly and better sustain the plants and animals that
make up the ecosystem. (PISCO, The Science of Marine Reserves)
Q. What are the benefits outside the no-take marine reserve?
A. No-take marine reserves may also affect populations outside their borders. Adult and juvenile
fish from a reserve may move into neighboring waters, a process called “spillover.” Although it
has not yet been widely documented, the spillover effect is believed to replenish nearby
populations. “Fishing the line,” where fishing boats congregate along the boundaries of no-take
marine reserves, is a popular practice, and seems to support this effect.
Q. Are no-take marine reserves the ultimate answer to managing ocean resources?
A. Marine reserves can be a useful management and conservation tool if they are properly
designed and enforced. But they do not replace other traditional management practices such
as catch quotas and gear restrictions. But when properly implemented, no-take marine reserves
serve to complement other measures.
The Ocean Conservancy strives to be the world’s foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public
education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with more than
900,000 members and volunteers The Ocean Conservancy has regional offices in Alaska, California, Florida, and New England and field
offices in Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz, CA, Florida Keys, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the office of Pollution Prevention and Monitoring in
Virginia Beach, VA.