Heceta Bank

Political, Ecological and Socioeconomic Framework of a Proposed Marine Protected Area

The positive overall effects that Marine Reserves and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have on adjacent fisheries have been known for some time. Many studies have shown the benefits that marine reserves and MPAs have on a variety of marine organisms, especially the commercially important species (i.e. species that are caught for consumption and commercial profit), and the fact that these individuals tend to grow larger and live longer than individuals outside of marine reserves. There is a strong economic case for representative, ecologically coherent and well-managed networks of MPAs. Heceta Bank was looked at as a case study for the creation of a MPA and the ecological, socioeconomic, and political benefits that would result from its creation.