How well do MPAs protect cetacean habitat?
How well do the hundreds of existing MPAs conserve cetacean habitat? The answer is that, in a few limited areas, MPAs are trying to do an important job for cetaceans and cetacean habitat, but by and large, around the world, cetacean habitat, inside and outside protected areas and international sanctuaries, is little recognized, largely undescribed, marginally protected at best and being degraded every day. In some cases, the animals are being killed in conflicts with fisheries, shipping traffic or pollution of one kind or another such that any habitat protection is rendered almost worthless. In few areas is the management responsive to the seasonally changing habitat needs of cetaceans if they are even known. It is depressing but at least these MPAs are something to build on. On the positive side, I see considerable ground for optimism in the numbers of people who are thinking and talking about MPAs for cetaceans. Some of this comes through the growing awareness of the need for more MP
