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Of course marine reserves are a good idea. Those that oppose them are understandably scared they will lose profits. I'm sorry though, the ocean and its bounty do not belong to them, and they will have to evolve. Ever here of the tragedy of the commons? These proposed areas are small compared to the amount of ocean open for commercial exploitation. The reality is the ocean is being overused. It will be hard for the fishing industry to adjust to change, and people are hard-wired to resist change. In the long term though, marine reserves will actually stimulate local economies, as paddlers, beach-combers, surfers, scientists, artists and wise fishermen and women come to the coast to revel in Oregon's smart idea - Marine Reserves and parks. Designating wild areas in the 1960s was easier on land, because people could see and understand a clear-cut forest, or a meadow turned parking lot. These ideas about protecting the ocean have come later, as it is harder for the public to see the damage done by over-use, overfishing and some fishing methods included. In addition, we need to understand the ocean and its habits better, and marine reserves will greatly help marine sciences. And let's not forget that one of the ultimate and inevitable answers to this and many other conservation issues, is that humans reduce their use of animals/fish for food and wisely revert to a more grain, legume and vegetable based diet.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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