Why are those concerned about the state of our seas continuing to swim against the tide in their efforts to put effective marine conservation measures in place? How might we move to a regulatory system that balances the vested interests of the fishing industry with the growing scientific and societal concerns about the state of our seas? If it is accepted that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are needed, who should have a say in where they should be and what activities should be excluded? How might MPA restrictions be enforced and compliance with them otherwise promoted? How might we ensure that the fishermen and related workers who lose out are given a fair deal? This book explores questions such as these and the many issues that they raise, as well as exploring options for addressing them. A key theme is that an appropriate balance between exploitation and conservation needs to be struck when governing MPAs and that a combination of incentives can be effective in achieving this balance. Drawing on ideas concerning the management of common-pool resources, the author puts forward a more holistic and less prescriptive approach to the governance of marine protected areas.