HONOLULU (KHON2) — Native Hawaiian leaders, scientists and fishermen are pushing back against attempts to roll back protections for national marine monuments.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s 204th meeting in Honolulu saw these groups speak out against President Trump’s proclamation that attempted to allow industrial fishing in the protected Pacific Island Heritage and the executive order that called for a review of all marine monuments.
If these long-standing protections were lifted, it would open up national monuments up for commercial fishing, which would impact Papahānaumokuākea.
“Historically, these places have demonstrated that commercial fishing is incompatible with it, 110 where in the 80s and early 90s some of the fisheries decimated and they haven’t really recovered in some cases,” said Kekuewa Kikiloi, Papahānaumokuākea Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group. “With these new proposed rules were really concerned about the impact to these places because although it is a case of wilderness and incredible abundance, it’s also very fragile marine ecosystem.”
The White House says that the proposal would restore America’s seafood competitiveness by enhancing domestic seafood production.
A public comment period is open from now until Oct. 14, which can be accessed here.