International efforts to protect marine biodiversity through marine wilderness preservation in the Northwest Atlantic

Control of commercial activities along the marine continental shelf in the Gulf of Maine was the recommendation of marine resource managers. The proposed Gulf of Maine International Ocean Wilderness would include representation from five major habitat types prevalent in this region, and would protect these habitats from fishing and resource extraction. The rest of the Gulf (73%) would still remain open to commercial activities. This preserve would protect marine diversity, preserve major habitat types, protect cultural and historical materials, and provide pristine habitat for marine research. Numerous ecological benefits would also accrue from this designation.