- Trump signed an executive order allowing commercial fishing in a 500,000 sq. mile protected Pacific marine monument.
- Environmental groups vow legal action, citing threats to marine biodiversity.
- The move aims to boost U.S. seafood production and reduce fishing regulations.
The Trump administration has lifted a long-standing ban on commercial fishing in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. This is one of the largest marine protected areas in the world.
Environmentalists, however, argue that this monument provides critical habitat for coral reefs and migratory fish populations. It also plays a vital role in climate resilience.
Backlash Grows as Trump Opens Pristine Pacific Waters to Industry
President Trump’s executive order dismantles key protections within the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. It was originally established to shield delicate marine life from industrial activity. The administration believes the rollback will revitalize domestic seafood production and reduce regulatory burdens.
Critics say the justification is scientifically unsound. They argue that migratory fish species, while transient, still benefit from protected “safe zones”. In these zones, they can feed and reproduce without industrial interference. The protected status has also helped rebuild reef ecosystems and fish stocks over time.
The order calls for a broader review of U.S. marine monuments and directs the Commerce Secretary to identify overregulated fisheries. The administration claims that these actions will strengthen economic security and food sovereignty in U.S. territories.
Legal experts warn this could spark a constitutional debate over the scope of presidential power under the Antiquities Act. Environmentalists are preparing to fight the order in court. They emphasize the monument’s role in global marine conservation and its scientific value.
While the Trump administration frames the decision as economic progress, it raises serious concerns about ecological loss, legal overreach, and the future of marine conservation in U.S. waters.
“We will do everything in our power to protect the monument.” – David Henkin, Earthjustice
