Marine Protected Areas

For years conservation of parts of the world ocean single was considered insignificantfor the vast area of the ocean. Gradually it became obvious that oceans are exposed to impacts other than in the open area. The coastal area development, construction of navigation channels, little controlled fishing and unorganized tourism – these are forms of local human activities that negatively impact marine environment.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are developed in order to reduce such impacts. Today there are more than 3000 marine protected areas in the world. Human activities are limited and carefully regulated in these areas. Scientific researchis conducted in protected areas biological stations.

Without exaggeration we can say that development of the national system of marine protected areas can be regarded as one of the urgent federal tasks. The main goal of such system is to consolidate present and newly created protected areas to embrace unique and special parts of Russian seas.

The limits of the system and its status are not very clear now. That is a question to be discussed by federal agencies, scientists, non-governmental organizations, representatives of fish, oil and gas, and marine transportation industries.

Unfortunately, most business representatives do not welcome creation of marine protected areas. However, belief is growing that the development of marine protected areas system would reduce risks of ecological disasters (such as overfishing and oil spills). Under these conditions negative public attitude to any industry could be overcome.

Certainly, marine protected areas do not represent an all healing solution and development of such areas should be combined with other conservation activities. Development of sustainable fishing is just as significant as establishment of unique and special marine areas under the International Convention on Sea Pollution of Vessels regulations.