US President Donald Trump has lifted the ban on commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, sparking environmental concerns.
The monument, spanning approximately 1.28 million square kilometres in the central Pacific Ocean, was established in 2009 by President George W. Bush and expanded in 2014 by President Barack Obama. It encompasses diverse marine habitats and is home to endangered species such as hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles.
Environmental groups have criticised the move. David Henkin, an attorney with Earthjustice, stated, “This is one of the most pristine tropical marine environments in the world that already faces dire threats from climate change and ocean acidification.” He added, “We will do everything in our power to protect the monument.”
The Trump administration argues that previous restrictions, including catch limits and competition with wind power companies for fishing grounds, have hindered the fishing industry. The executive order claims, “In addition to overregulation, unfair trade practices have put our seafood markets at a competitive disadvantage.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been directed to identify overregulated fisheries within 30 days and recommend actions to reduce regulatory burdens. The order also calls for a comprehensive seafood trade strategy and a review of existing marine monuments for potential commercial use.
Conservationists warn that reopening these protected areas could lead to overfishing and threaten marine biodiversity, undermining long-standing conservation efforts.
