Home / Environment / Obama Expands Pacific Marine Monument
Obama Expands Pacific Marine Monument
9 Oct
Summary
- Monument grew to 582,578 square miles, size of Gulf of Mexico.
- No commercial extraction allowed; permits for research, cultural fishing.
- Protects over 7,000 species, including endangered whales and turtles.
In August 2016, President Barack Obama significantly expanded the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The protected area quadrupled in size to 582,578 square miles, comparable to the Gulf of Mexico, establishing it as one of the world's largest marine sanctuaries at the time. This expansion was influenced by scientific findings revealing new deep-sea habitats and ecological links.
The enlarged monument prohibits all commercial resource extraction, including fishing and mineral mining. However, permits will allow for noncommercial fishing, scientific research, and traditional Native Hawaiian cultural practices. This decision faced opposition from Hawaii's longline fishing fleet but built on the state's conservation legacy.
The protected waters are vital for over 7,000 marine species, including endangered whales and sea turtles, and ancient species like black coral. This region also holds deep cultural significance for Native Hawaiians and contains historical shipwrecks from World War II.
The expansion began with a proposal by Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz in June 2016, the monument's tenth anniversary. Public forums and confirmation from Governor David Ige preceded Obama's proclamation, made in consultation with various stakeholders including Native Hawaiian leaders and conservation groups.
