One exciting new direction in which Environmental Defense is now embarking is to help establish a system of Marine Protected Areas. Marine reserves are areas in the sea in which fishing is banned. They can serve many purposes including: conservation of biodiversity, education, research, aesthetics, recreation, tourism, rebuilding of depleted fish populations and potentially enhancing fisheries. Marine reserves provide a refuge for fish species threatened elsewhere, offer direct protection of ocean environments, and provide information on the structure and function of marine ecosystems.

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