Over the years, increasing pressure has been placed on the marine environment. Internationally marine protected areas are recognised as a vital tool for protecting our marine environment. It is recommended that marine sanctuaries, or no-take areas, should be created over up to half of all marine waters if fish stocks are to recover and marine plants and animals are to be appropriately protected.

Marine sanctuaries help the marine environment by:

• protecting habitats and ecosystems;
• improving commercial and recreational fisheries by protecting juvenile habitats or adult breeding grounds;
• providing opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the marine world;
• protecting threatened species;
• supporting research and education;
• providing a buffer for the effects of climate change;
• improving management of introduced marine pests;
• reducing the risk of pollution by excluding oil and gas developments;
• improving opportunities for ecotourism for local communities; and
• conserving cultural heritage.

Marine protected areas are progressively being declared across Australia and around the world. The Australian Government has committed to the creation of a National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas by 2012 and the NSW Government has previously committed to a multiple use marine park in each NSW marine region by 2007.