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Abstract

Global oceans are experiencing not only increased levels of human exploitation, but also major changes to
their physics, chemistry and biology. These alarming changes have prompted calls for new and improved conservation
and management tools if the future sustainability of oceanic ecosystems is to be assured. Spatial management, although
widely used in coastal and nearshore environments, is one strategy yet to be adequately considered for open ocean
systems. Resistance to both investigation and implementation of this management approach stems predominantly from
the perception that given the highly dynamic nature of the ocean, adequate protection of both its biological and physical
componentswould require regulation of vast regions.To examine this assertion, a series of reserve networkswere modelled
using the reserve design tool Marxan for an oceanic region off eastern Australia. Consideration was given to a set
of biological, physical and social features. Three distinct management approaches were evaluated; fisheries priority,
conservation priority, and equal fisheries-conservation priority. Reserve solution area requirements ranged from 7 to 26%
of the focus area, falling within the lower end of the range of areas suggested in the published reports. This analysis suggests
that percentage area requirements for oceanic protected areas should not be an impediment to further consideration

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Alpine, JE and Hobday, AJ
Keywords:	Marxan, pelagic ecosystems, reserve design, spatial management.
Journal or Publication Title:	Marine and Freshwater Research
Publisher:	CSIRO Publishing
ISSN:	1323-1650
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1071/MF06214 1323-1650/07/060558
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