How does Alaska protect habitat?
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a critical element of ecosystem-based fisheries management, and can be used to control exploitation rates of target species, protect spawning and nursery areas, improve sustainable yields, reduce bycatch of non-target species, protect benthic habitat from disturbance by fishing gear, ensure against uncertainties, and conserve genetic diversity, among other objectives. Fishery managers have closed pollock fishing in large areas of the ocean to minimize competition between fishing vessels and marine mammals that might prey on pollock. This ecosystem-based approach to managing the Alaska pollock fishery is an example of progressive fisheries management. In total, there are over 40 named marine protected areas in waters off Alaska, encompassing thousands of square miles.
