Marine Protected Areas: Stopgap or Silver Bullet?

It’s not a bad idea – to set aside areas of ocean, big or small, where human exploitative activities are limited or banned and in which marine life in all its diversity can be protected. It’s also a very large idea, one that has pros and cons, offers many opportunities and potential pitfalls, and sparks animated debate. We have invited scientists who know most about marine protected areas to present what is known about them and how they can – and do – work.