What determines the size, number, and location of MPAs?
The optimum size, number, and location of MPAs are determined by the management goals of a particular area. There are three basic designs that are most useful: a small single area, a large single area, or a network of areas. A small area may be used to protect a unique habitat, a site-specific life cycle event (such as spawning aggregation that occurs in a single area), or a unique shipwreck. A large single area may be used to protect species nursery grounds, representative habitat from either fishing pressure or destruction of habitat, or a large collection of historic vessels. A network of MPAs may be used to protect habitats needed for the diversity of life stages common among marine species to ensure that larval transport occurs throughout an entire region.
