Obama’s expansion of the Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument will more than quadruple its existing size, protecting reefs, marine life habitats and other resources.
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“By expanding the monument”, Reichert also said, “President Obama has increased protections for one of the most biologically and culturally significant places on the planet”.
The expanded monument area also contains resources of great historical and cultural significance.
In those areas where the Marine National Monument expanded, all commercial activities will be prohibited.
“The best science shows that the ocean can recover, if you allow it to”, said Senator Brian Schatz, who worked with scientists, environmental groups and native Hawaiians to urge Obama to expand the monument.
The area is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Hawaii.
Among the most biodiverse areas in the world, it harbors 7000 marine species, including our planet’s largest seabird gathering site, attracting 14 million birds each year.
President Barack Obama, who’s already protected more public acres than any US president, will add to his legacy of conservation by quadrupling the marine monument surrounding the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the White House announced. “For somebody to feel good, we’re going to force USA fishermen out of waters”.
The council recommends catch limits and other steps created to sustain fisheries. Hawaii’s longline fishing fleet supplies much of the fresh tuna and other fish to Hawaii.
The Pew Charitable Trusts helped lead the push to expand the monument.
The expansion will make Papahānaumokuākea the largest national monument in the US. “In times when oceans are hit by the overexploitation of species, pollution, and phenomena such as climate change, the protection of these islands means a great step forward for oceans in Chile and the rest of the world”, said Liesbeth van der Meer, executive director of Oceana Chile.
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 battle was fought in June of 1942 and marked a major shift in that war. On Thursday he plans to travel to Midway Atoll, located within the Papahānaumokuākea.
It was the 26th national monument either created or expanded during Obama’s presidency.
The administration said Obama has protected more acreage through national monument designations than any other president. “Throughout this process, we’ve collaborated with a number of stakeholders, including Native Hawaiians, state and local officials, community leaders, and fishermen”, said Secretary Pritzker.
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Native Hawaiians are allowed to remove fish for use in cultural practices.
