What are the benefits of marine national parks?
Marine national parks provide: • recovery zones for species in decline • buffer zones against damaging events such as storms • nursery grounds for fish to reproduce and foster healthy off-spring • a line of defence against invasive pests • a place for the public to visit and enjoy the wonders of what’s below the surface • a submerged classroom for learning and an intact laboratory for scientists • an insurance policy for recreational and commercial fishers to secure future fisheries • an economic opportunity for adjacent towns and communities • the protection of biodiversity for future generations to enjoy Individual marine national parks should be sufficient in size to adequately protect identified conservation values and reflect ecosystem linkage and connectivity of the surrounding system. They must follow the CAR system: comprehensive, adequate and representative – but they should also incorporate connectivity and resilience to mitigate climate change. Adequate buffer zones must be
