Those who support deep ecology believe that there has to be a fundamental change in consciousness of how humans relate to the natural world. This requires a change from an anthropocentric to an ecocentric perspective-seeing humans as a species with no superior status. All other species have a right to exist, irrespective of their usefulness to the human species. Humans cannot presume dominance over all non-human species of life and see nature as a resource for our utilization. We have to extend the ethical circle outwards, towards the oceans and the Earth.
All life is one.
The justification for MPAs should not be one of self-interest. A fundamental question about MPAs is whether to appeal to economic interests or to rise above this, by promoting overall ecological and social interests. A Marine Protected Area must mean full ecological protection from human exploitive interests, otherwise the term itself becomes debased. According to the Oceans Act, MPAs rest on an assertion of ownership over the internal waters, the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone. Supporters of deep ecology believe no one can own the Earth, whether from a state, individual or collective point of view.