What is Marine reserve?
[[File:Kealakekua Bay, Captain Cook - panoramio (11).jpg|thumb|Fish and coral at [[Kealakekua Bay]], a marine reserve at the [[Hawaii (island)|Island of Hawaiʻi]]]] A '''marine reserve''' is a type of [[marine protected area]]. The protection is for [[sea]]s, [[ocean]]s, [[estuary|estuaries]] or large [[lake]]s. [[Laws]] protect the plants and animals in a reserve. The area is kept safe for [[Conservation biology|conservation]] and to provide special opportunities for study or [[research]]. In a marine reserve people are not allowed to take plants or animals, except for research. This includes [[fishing]]. People are still allowed to swim or [[Scuba diving|scuba dive]]. The [[Ningaloo Reef]] in [[Australia]] is an example of a marine reserve. This reef includes six of the seven types of [[sea turtle]]s in the world. Another example is [[Hol Chan Marine Reserve]] in [[Belize]]. Hol Chan includes [[coral reef]]s and a [[mangrove]] forest. ==Related pages== {{commons category|Marine reserves}} *[[Nature reserve]] *[[World Heritage Site]] [[Category:Protected areas]]