The history of declaration of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Spain is short. The first marine protected area was declared in 1982. Up to December 1993, nine areas were declared, protecting a combined area of 15000ha. (0-5%) of the coastline. A variety of nomenclature has been used--fishery preserved zones, hunting refuges, marine reserves, marine-terrestrial park--and MPAs have been declared under different legislation. Perhaps as a consequence, the objectives of MPAs (species, habitats, restocking living resources) are diverse and there is a very uneven distribution of types of habitat protected and of protected areas between the Mediterranean and Atlantic coast. The administrative system of protection and management of marine areas is complex, shared between central and regional governments. There is, however, one piece of legislation that has been specifically tailored for the marine environment which allows the creation of 'marine reserves'. To date, five reserves have been declared using this legislation. The problems encountered in the establishment and vigilance of MPAs and solutions implemented have resulted in a logical system for the declaration of future MPAs. The use of MPAs as a management tool for the protection of marine habitats and species is gaining impetus in Spain, with eleven new protected areas proposed.