New Marine Reserve Gives Hope

More good news for the seas, often exceedingly rare these days! Australia has proposed to create a new marine reserve that covers a goodly portion of the oceans, although the sheer scale and huge numbers probably seem more impressive than they really are, considering just how much of the Earth's surface is actually ocean. "The proposed Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve will cover 989,842 square kilometers (around 380,000 square miles) -- an area roughly one tenth the size of the U.S." According to the article, environmental groups applaud the move but are calling for the entire Coral Sea to be protected. Given that this portion has been set aside, I wonder what is preventing the government from just going all the way and protecting the whole thing? Could the other half of the Sea be home to more than just rare corals and fish spawning grounds? Could they, like the Spratleys, be home to deposits of oil and other resources?