New Zealand was one of the pioneers of marine reserves in temperate waters, having had functioning fully protected marine reserves since 1977. There are now 15 marine reserves in New Zealand protecting approximately 4% of its territorial waters. The Cape-Rodney-Okakari Marine Reserve covers 5km2 and since it was closed in 1977 it has seen a five-fold increase in the density of lobsters and some exploited fish species inside the reserve. This expansion of marine life has led to an entirely unexpected surge in numbers of visitors, with over 100,000 tourists each year bringing valuable revenue.

Tabarca is a small island off the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Habitats around the island are dominated by seagrass beds. A 1400ha marine reserve was established in 1986 and is divided into three zones. A 100ha no take, a buffer zone where some traditional fishing gears are permitted and a recreational zone. Spear-fishing, boating and water-skiing are not allowed anywhere in the reserve. A few years after protection, underwater surveys have shown that the abundance of biomass are higher in the reserve than in unprotected areas. In addition, the catches of a number of key species in fishing areas adjacent to the reserve have increase. After six years of protection, catches of grouper have risen by 50% and bream by 85%. Most significantly, the socio-economic status of the fishing fleet is the only one in which the numbers of fishers are not decreasing and is the most modern in the region.

For security reasons, the waters around Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Centre have been closed to fishermen since 1963, creating a 15 square mile fisheries reserve. The areas around this reserve are now a favourite spot for local anglers and many recent specimen catches have been taken there. Scientists say the waters hold more than double the number of fish found in comparable areas. Dr Darlene Johnson of the National Marine Fisheries describes an area ‘that just seemed to be teeming with fish, alligators and bird life’

The example from Lundy Island is particularly significant as the UK’s only fully protected reserve is also situated in the South West region. The waters around this small, granitic island support diverse wildlife including the pink sea fan and the sunset cup coral. A voluntary marine nature reserve was established in 1973, but it was not until 30 years later that the site was given full protection through a Sea Fisheries byelaw. A 3km zone on the east of the island is now off-limits to all fishing activities and monitoring over the last three years has shown a good recovery rate in the marine life, particularly for species like lobsters.