How do marine protected areas (MPAs) assist in marine conservation?

Marine protected areas (MPAs) play a critical role in marine conservation by helping to restore biodiversity and protect various habitats. By designating specific regions of the ocean as protected, MPAs limit human activities that can disrupt ecosystems, such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. This leads to healthier marine environments where species can thrive and populations can recover.

MPAs create safe havens for a variety of marine life, allowing fish stocks to rebuild and promoting the growth of essential habitats like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. These areas can enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems against climate change and other anthropogenic pressures. Protecting these habitats not only aids in maintaining the balance within marine ecosystems but also provides benefits for fisheries and coastal communities in the long term, as healthier ecosystems can lead to increased abundance and diversity of marine life.

In contrast, the other options highlight activities or outcomes that undermine the conservation goals of MPAs. Increasing human activities, promoting industrial fishing, and decreasing species diversity contradict the fundamental principles of MPAs, which aim to foster a sustainable and biodiverse marine environment.