Three marine national monuments are now open for business. On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation restoring commercial fishing within previously protected areas in the Pacific Ocean.
The subjects of the declaration were the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument near Hawaii, Mariana Trench Marine National Monument near Guam and Rose Atoll Marine National Monument near American Samoa. The designation is given to areas of exceptional biodiversity, and meant to protect and conserve “some of the last remaining relatively pristine ocean ecosystems” according to NOAA. In total, there are only five marine national monuments.
A White House press release claims that prohibiting commercial fishing is “not necessary” for the maintenance of these monuments, “as many fish species are highly migratory, not unique to the area, and are already protected through existing laws.” Furthermore, the fact sheet maintains that prohibiting commercial fishing in this area also artificially restricts domestic fish supply and makes Americans dependent on foreign supplies of seafood.
However, ocean conservationsists strongly disagreed with the decision. “The Trump administration is dismantling our marine national monuments without public debate,” said Dr Miriam Goldstein, Executive Director of the National Ocean Protection Coalition. “These marine monuments are the ocean’s equivalent of our national parks – places that benefit marine life and cultural heritage and are too important to risk for short-term gain. When we treat protected areas as just another place for industrial activity, we risk undermining those benefits for future generations.”
