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Quoting from the National Marine Sanctuaries (U.S.), the functions and purposes of marine sanctuaries is as follows:

“The primary objective of a sanctuary is to protect its natural and cultural features while allowing people to use and enjoy the ocean in a sustainable way. Sanctuary waters provide a secure habitat for species close to extinction and protect historically significant shipwrecks and artifacts. Sanctuaries serve as natural classrooms and laboratories for schoolchildren and researchers alike to promote understanding and stewardship of our oceans. They often are cherished recreational spots for sport fishing and diving and support commercial industries such as tourism, fishing and kelp harvesting”.

[Source: "National Marine Sanctuaries: FAQ." 03 Aug 2006. . 19 May 2010.]

In addition, the New South Wales Marine Parks website lists the ways in which marine sanctuaries help the marine environment. They do so 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.

[Source: NSW Marine Parks. "About Marine Sanctuaries." "Marine Sanctuaries: National Parks of the Sea." 2005. , 19 May 2010.]

You can find out more about marine sanctuaries from the two source websites listed above. You can also read aggregated news reports about local efforts to start a marine sanctuary at Pulau Hantu at the following page on Wild Singapore’s website (http://www.wildsingapore.com/): , 19 May 2010.

Book Recommendations:
1) Title: Endangered oceans / Louise I. Gerdes, book editor.
Publisher: Detroit : Greenhaven Press, c2009.
Call No.: Y English 333.95616 END

2)Title: The marine heritage of Thailand : kingdom of infinite biodiversity.
Publisher: PTT Exploration and Production Public Co. : National Park, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Dept., 2006.
Call No.: RSEA English 333.916409593 MAR

3) Title: Marine parks of Malaysia / text by Mohd Taupek Mohd Nasir, Nor Ainy Mahyidin.
Author: Mohd. Taupek Mohd. Nasir
Publisher: Kuala Lumpur : Dept. of Fisheries Malaysia, Ministry of Agriculture, 2001.
Call No.: q333.916409595 MOH

4) Title: Wild ocean : America’s parks under the sea / by Sylvia A. Earle and Wolcott Henry.
Author: Earle, Sylvia A., 1935-
Publisher: Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society, 1999.
Call No.: q333.7830973 EAR

5) Title: Marine reserves in the Philippines : historical development, effects and influence on marine conservation policy / by Angel C. Alcala ; with a foreword by Edgardo D. Gomez.
Author: Alcala, Angel C
Call No.: RSEA 333.916 ALC

To check the availability and locations of the above titles, please use our online catalog

Originally answered by Goh Peck Keong, Librarian, Adult and Young People’s Services

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