Marine Sanctuaries

The ocean has been referred to as "the final frontier", as we have explored less than 5% of a body of water that covers approximately 70% of our earth. Yet with current fishing and trawling practices there may be nothing left to find. Practices such as bottom trawling, in which a net is dragged along the bottom of the sea floor, are incredibly damaging to coral reefs, which are the breeding grounds of many species of fish. This is only one example of destructive fishing, there are many, many more that are effectively destroying marine habitats around the world. 

However one of the most effective solutions to preventing this destruction is the creation of marine sanctuaries. A marine sanctuary is essentially the same as a national wildlife park, except its a section of ocean. Marine sanctuaries have proven to be an effective measure as not only do they allow the species and habitat within the boundaries to heal and flourish, they also help to populate the surrounding areas. In turn this aids the fishermen because while they cannot fish within the boundaries of the sanctuary, they can fish the surplus that swims out of the boundaries. This creates a steady supply of fish, while allowing the population to remain intact. 

While there have been several marine sanctuaries, all of which have proved to be successful, there are not nearly enough in the world. The damage we could prevent,

and the knowledge we could save by implementing this practice is endless. We must preserve what we have, otherwise, when we finally discover more, there may be nothing left; how cruel a joke would that be?