Game et al. (2009) [1] argue that “recent advances across conservation, oceanography and fisheries science provide the evidence, tools and information to... confirm [pelagic] MPAs as defensible and feasible instruments for pelagic conservation”. While we agree that pelagic MPAs merit a scientific examination of their potential uses as part of a diversified approach to marine management, reasonable caution must be applied to their implementation and expected benefits. Game et al. (2009) provide an overview of many of the issues, challenges and potential solutions for pelagic MPAs; however, we believe that some challenges are likely to be more difficult and costly to resolve than the authors suggest.