President Barack Obama will establish on Thursday the first national marine monument in the Atlantic, a move that’s created to permanently protect almost 5,000 square miles of underwater canyons and mountains off the coast of New England. Also dubbed “a deep see Serengeti”, the monument holds a thriving underwater ecosystem of endangered sperm whales, sea turtles and other exotic species unique to the area, among deep-sea canyons, extinct volcanoes, marine forests and coral reefs.
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The marine protections will hurt red crab, swordfish, tuna, squid, whiting and offshore lobster fisheries, according to the Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s Association, which said industry representatives offered White House aides alternative proposals that would have protected coral habitat while still allowing fishing in some areas. Today’s designation places this slice of the oceanic paradise beyond the reach of humans, be they commercial fishermen, deep ocean miners, or pragmatic apocalypse preppers.
Monument designations come with restrictions on certain activities.
Under the terms of the plan, commercial fishing operations must vacate the premises nearly immediately, within 60 days, and red crab and lobster fisherman have a grace period of seven years to leave. Initial discussions included Cashes Ledge, a deep sea area about 80 miles off the New England coast that is home to a large kelp forest, but the Obama administration indicated earlier this year that the ledge was not being considered for monument designation.
Captain John Brewer, a fisherman who lands red crab at the port of New Bedford, Conn, said there is ample evidence that the industry already contributes to sustainable long-term management.
“President Obama’s designation is historic for the Atlantic Ocean and contributes to global commitments to protect special ocean places”, said Lee Crockett of the The Pew Charitable Trusts, overseeing the USA ocean conservation project.
Altogether, countries attending the oceans conference will announce the addition of newsanctuaries covering almost 460,000 square miles of ocean, an area around the size of the nation of South Africa. “We can not truly protect our planet without protecting our oceans”, the president said as he explained why he agreed to set aside the area for protection. In a historic move, President Obama this morning established the first marine national monument in the Atlantic during a State Department conference. Last month, POTUS vastly expanded Hawaii’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, turning it into the world’s largest marine protected area.
The environmental legacy, which was developed year by year during the both presidencies of Barack Obama, resulted in the creating of a marine monument, said White House page.
It’s why Obama is building on those efforts by adding a marine national monument designation in the Atlantic Ocean. Bob Vanasse, a spokesman for the National Coalition of Fishing Communities, fears that the monument will be totally detrimental to the fishing industry. Red crab and lobster fisheries will be given seven years to cease operations in the area.
“Just like we live”, Angela Sanfilippo said. Many environmental groups and scientists are hailing this decision.
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Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act in 1906, allowing presidents to offer stronger protections to existing federal lands.
