President Trump signed a proclamation allowing commercial fishing in portions of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and other Pacific marine sanctuaries. The move has drawn support from fishing industry managers but criticism from conservation and Native Hawaiian groups.
- The proclamation affects Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, established in 2006 and expanded in 2016.
- Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council praised the decision, saying it returns management to established regional council processes.
- Native Hawaiian and conservation groups oppose the change, calling the area sacred and citing two decades of protection efforts.
- University of Hawaii research found current protections increased nearby yellowfin tuna catch rates by 54% and bigeye tuna by 12%.
- The area is home to over 7,000 marine species including endangered Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles.
Source: Maui News
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