The amount of terrestrial protection achieved for biodiversity through designation of no-take public wilderness areas in the United States is much greater than no-take protection in the nation's National Marine Sanctuary System. With the exception of a small area in the Florida Keys, no permanent reserve in the United States protects marine biodiversity from commercial fishing with gear that has strong effects on marine habitats and which has been identified as one of the major threats to marine biodiversity. A recent national poll has shown that public support does exist for conservation of the marine environment and protection of marine biodiversity. The New England region provides examples of the obstacles that such support may face in regions with a long history of commercial exploitation of marine species. I discuss the overall Influence that the commercial fishing industry in New England has had on marine conservation efforts in the region, contrast the public's perception of marine versus terrestrial wildlife species, and describe the nature of the media's coverage of the commercial fishing industry and fisheries management issues in the region. I propose the creation of a national no-take marine wilderness preservation system as a way to achieve protection of marine biodiversity as a separate goal from sustainable fisheries management in New England and other; similar regions in the United States.
