The known benefits of marine reserves already form a long list and cover a wide range. More are being discovered at a rapid rate. Many direct benefits to science, education, conservation, and various forms of recreation are now well-established. The potential benefits of marine reserves are universal in scientific and social terms. They are independent of bio-geographical region and ecological habitat, and also of culture, politics and economics.
Marine reserves can work anywhere.
The aim is clear, but we do not know with any precision how much is required to achieve it. Even this very broad range is informative. The thistledown effect.