President Trump signed a proclamation allowing commercial fishing in several Pacific marine monuments, including areas around Papahānaumokuākea. Environmental groups plan legal challenges to block the policy change.
- The proclamation opens Papahānaumokuākea’s Mau and Ho’omalu Zones to commercial fishing along with other Pacific marine monuments.
- Environmental groups including Earthjustice will file lawsuits to challenge the fishing expansion in protected waters.
- Critics argue the policy threatens endangered species habitat and ignores scientific marine management principles.
- A similar 2025 Trump administration fishing expansion was struck down by federal court in August.
- Opponents say US fisheries already hit tuna catch limits annually regardless of monument access.
Source: Maui Now
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