In the proclamation released today, President Obama almost quadrupled the amount of protected land to 1.5-million square kilometers, extending the boundaries of the monument, which prohibits fishing or commercial exploitation in an area of 320 kilometers in all directions. The administration has already placed more square-miles under protection from development through monument status or other measures than any other USA president.
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The natural monument’s unique ecosystem is home to some 7,000 marine and terrestrial species including endangered turtles and seals as well as black coral that can live more than 4,500 years.
The move, which more than quadruples the size of the Papahanaumokuakea (pronounced “Papa-ha-now-moh-koo-ah-kay-ah”) Marine National Monument that President George W. Bush established a decade ago, underscores the extent to which Obama has elevated the issues of conservation and climate change in his second term.
Obama is travelling to Hawaii, his home state, next week to highlight how global warming could wipe out natural landmarks, making federal control of these lands even more important, according to the White House.
The designation bans commercial fishing and any new mining.
The White House said the expansion is in response to a proposal from Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz and prominent Native Hawaiian leaders. Kai supports a plan to expand the monument.
President Barack Obama is creating the largest marine conservation area on Earth off the coast of Hawaii.
But some expressed disappointment over the move to expand the zone to 200 miles from shore, saying that it imperils fishermen’s ability to make a living. Hawaii’s longline fishing fleet supplies a large portion of the fresh tuna and other fish consumed in Hawaii. “Today is a sad day in the history of Hawaii’s fisheries and a negative blow to our local food security”.
The White House said the monument will protect 87,500 acres and will bolster the forest’s resilience against the impact of climate change.
“Native Hawaiian culture considers the Monument and the adjacent area a sacred place”.
The researchers say the newly discovered octopus is previously undescribed, and may not belong to a known genus.
And, its suckers are arranged in one series on each arm, rather than two. Recreational fishing will be allowed through a permit, as will be scientific research and the removal of fish and other resources for Native Hawaiian cultural practices.
It was the 26th national monument either created or expanded during Obama’s presidency. In the past 10 years, the Departments have forged a strong partnership with the State of Hawaii in managing the monument, including benefiting greatly from the cultural perspective that OHA has provided.
The expansion of Papahānaumokuākea continues President Obama’s conservation legacy in the Pacific.
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The President will travel next Thursday to Midway Atoll to mark the significance of the monument expansion, which had been opposed by the local fishing industry, arguing that it would be hard-hit by the designation.
