On Thursday, April 17, the Trump Administration issued a proclamation calling for the opening of commercial fishing in waters of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. Established in 2009, the monument protects 400,000 square miles of waters from commercial fishing, while also providing crucial habitat for rare and imperiled species. The proclamation would remove restrictions on commercial fishing between 50 and 200 miles from the shores of the islands that make up the monument.
In response to the proclamation, Defenders of Wildlife Refuges and Parks Program Director Christian Hunt released the following statement.
“This monument is a rare haven for species in an otherwise heavily exploited ocean. Allowing commercial fishing will deplete fish populations, while creating new threats for imperiled sharks, rays, seabirds and other wildlife that call these pristine waters and islands home. The only thing being ‘unleashed’ here is the commercial looting of our natural heritage.”
For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.
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