Protecting the Atlantic Ocean

One of the most sensitive balances in the ecosystem is the water for the marine life. It is an environment where even the slightest interference can cause a dysfunctional ecosystem. To ensure that human interference does not cause damage to the ecosystem certain areas are protected by different laws and regulations. These protections are known as Marine Protected Areas or MPA’s and apply to certain areas to ensure that things can be changed to protect the marine life and the area that is being affected. The human impact on coastal zones can be severe and is what leads to the enactment of MPA’s. An understanding will be developed of what are Marine Protected Areas, how humans interfere with coastal zones, and how Marine Protected Areas can limit the human interference especially in the Atlantic Ocean. This knowledge will develop the information needed to prevent human problems in the Atlantic Ocean and to continue to further enhance all Marine Protected Areas.
Importantly, understanding the difference between what MPA’s are and are not is critical. Marine Protected Areas are not exactly as their name states they are somewhat different. The range of the Marine Protected Areas goes from very strict restrictions to recreational restrictions that can vary in all aspects. “In reality, ‘marine protected area’ is a term that encompasses a variety of conservation and management methods in the United States.” (National Marine Protected Areas Center 2013). The legislation on an area can include full restriction to the area from all human contact or can be limited restriction based on the activity, such as scuba diving, kayaking, or leisure travel only. The Marine Protected Areas are located mainly in the southern parts of the Atlantic Ocean. These levies of restrictions exerted are different in each area and are to be understood in their entirety to realize what effects humans have on the environment they live in.
To begin, when a coastal area is in distress the option that is taken to ensure protection is through enacting a MPA. “Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are defined areas in the ocean that are designated for conservation as part of an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach to protecting marine resource” (Ocean Health Index 2014). The Atlantic Ocean is the second biggest ocean after the Pacific Ocean and is one of the busiest areas because it separates the Americas from Europe and Asia. This constant activity can cause several different effects on the ecosystem which then can disturb the normal tranquility of the ocean. There are four ranges of marine protection that an area can have. The first and most stringent type is the “no-use zone where no activities are permitted” (Ocean Health Index 2014). Next the “no-take zone is where measures are taken to protect species whose populations may be affected in other zones/areas. Non-extractive activities are permitted, such as diving and mooring” (Ocean Health Index 2014). Third is the “buffer zone where transitional zones from no-take zones to multiple-use zones where moderate activities such as, hook-and-line fishing, limited aquaculture, and limited tourism are permitted” (Ocean Health Index 2014). Last, is the “multi-use zone where all tourism, fishing and aquaculture activities are permitted. Permitted activities include diving and snorkeling, artisanal fishing, large-scale commercial fishing, and aquaculture” (Ocean Health Index 2014).
Understanding the benefits of Marine Protected Areas involves breaking down what it does for one area. The Southern islands in the Atlantic Ocean that are currently protected by no-take zones meaning actions are being taken to protect species and non-extractive activities are allowed. The reason being that the “open-ocean areas of the Atlantic have remained largely free of human-generated wastes, but increases in marine pollution have been found in poorly mixed coastal waters, especially those located near population and industrial centers and river mouths” (Encyclopedia Britannica. 2014). This leads to the need for protection for the species that cannot be protected on their own. The biggest factor of this protection is that area of the no-take zone is around 12,400 miles and the overall marine protected area will now protect more than 600,000 miles” (Encyclopedia Britannica. 2014). The full protection of the marine protected areas will bring safety and longevity to marine life “such as penguins, seals and seabirds and protect the spawning areas of many fish species” (Science Learning Hub RSS. 2014). MPA’s will ensure that the benefits of all these aspects of life will be continued and not affected by extractive human activities like fishing or drilling.
Overall, any small thing that one human may do can lead to a greater impact on the environment. When it comes to marine life the balance is very delicate and to maintain that balance there are sometimes legal ramifications established. Every small pollutant could later create a major catastrophe for marine life and could lead to devastation for mankind in the future as well. The Atlantic Ocean may not be the biggest ocean, but it is still a very vital resource for the world. Protecting important resources especially an ocean will contribute more for each generation than allowing things to slowly dissolve into utter chaos. Marine Protected Areas assist with ensuring that the thriving ecosystem remains as such and that not only the animals are protected, but that the water and all that is a part of it is protected.

Works Cited
About MPAs. (2013, October 22). National Marine Protected Areas Center. Retrieved February 1, 2014 from http://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/aboutmpas/definition/
Environmental Impact of Human Activity. (2013, October 21). Britannica Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved February 1, 2014 from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/41191/Atlantic-Ocean/33307/Environmental-impact-of-human-activity
Human Impacts on Marine Environments. (2009, Octoboer 08). Science Learning Hub RSS. Retrieved January 30, 2014 from http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/Life-in-the-Sea/Science-Ideas-and-Concepts/Human-impacts-on-marine-environments
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). (2014). Ocean Health Index. Retrieved February 1, 2014 from http://www.oceanhealthindex.org/Components/Marine_Protected_Areas_MPAs/