NOAA's National Ocean Service is considering designating reserve areas inside three other national marine sanctuaries. Several regional fishery management councils have formed multi-sector marine reserve advisory committees to examine the usefulness of reserve management in their fisheries. And some U.S. states and territories are considering creating reserves, or modifying existing reserves, within waters under their jurisdiction. Conclusion Marine reserves offer fishery managers a unique alternative to conventional fishery management tools and a real opportunity to resolve decades of problems that have resulted in increasingly restrictive fishery management measures. But, like all other fishery management tools, marine reserves also have drawbacks and they are likely to be more effective in, and applicable to, some fisheries than others.
Current considerations are likely to lead to additional marine reserve designations in the future.
The collective participation of all fishery interests in these discussions can help to ensure that the design and objectives of new designations are developed in a way that make them successful and effective. Effects of Marine Reserves on Coral Fish Abundances and Yields of Philippine Coral Reefs. Alcala, A.C. and G.R. Russ. A Direct Test of the Effects of Protective Management on Abundance and Yield of Tropical Marine Resources. Allison, G.W., J. Lubchenco and M.H. Carr.