Source: UnderwaterTimes.com
June 10, 2010

Washington, D.C. - More than 245 marine scientists from 35 countries are calling for the establishment of a worldwide system of very large, highly protected marine reserves as 'an essential and long overdue contribution to improving stewardship of the global oceanic environment.'

While small marine reserves are known to protect some species, large reserves comparable to large national parks on land are necessary to better protect sea life in our oceans, which cover 71% of the planet.

By signing the statement, the experts endorsed the scientific case for designating very large, highly protected marine reserves and called on policymakers to take bolder action in establishing these areas. The statement issued by Global Ocean Legacy, a project of the Pew Environment Group, was released on Tuesday for World Oceans Day.

To read the full text of the article, click here.