President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that reopens portions of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (previously known as the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument) to commercial fishing. This order reverses previous restrictions that were put in place to protect one of the most biodiverse marine regions under U.S. jurisdiction.
The order lifts the ban on commercial fishing from 50 to 200 nautical miles around several remote Pacific islands and atolls. These include Howland Island, Baker Island, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, and Wake Island.
The ban had been in place since 2009, when President George W. Bush expanded the monument and prohibited commercial fishing to protect rare coral ecosystems and vulnerable marine species.
What the Executive Order Does
The executive order allows U.S.-flagged commercial fishing vessels to return to these remote waters, which had been off-limits to all but scientific research and limited recreational activities. The Trump administration framed the decision as an effort to strengthen domestic seafood production, reduce dependency on imports, and boost the economic well-being of the American fishing industry.
- Reopens certain Pacific waters to commercial fishing. Specifically, it allows U.S.-flagged fishing boats to operate in areas between 50 and 200 nautical miles around several remote U.S. territories and atolls in the Pacific Ocean (including Howland, Baker, Jarvis, Johnston, Wake, Palmyra, and Kingman Reef).
- Overturns previous restrictions. These waters were protected under the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, where commercial fishing had been banned since 2009 to protect sensitive ecosystems.
- Aims to boost domestic seafood production. The administration says the goal is to support the U.S. fishing industry and reduce the country’s reliance on imported seafood.
During the announcement, Trump argued that previous restrictions had harmed American fishermen and allowed foreign fleets to dominate the market. His remarks echoed longstanding industry concerns about access to traditional fishing grounds and regulatory overreach.
Conservation Groups & Politicians Sound the Alarm
Environmental groups, marine scientists, and politicians are condemning the decision. They argue that the monument was created specifically to protect fragile deep-sea ecosystems and critical habitat for endangered species, including sea turtles, seabirds, and rare corals. Many of these ecosystems are slow to recover once damaged.
“At a time when the climate crisis is threatening our fragile ocean ecosystem and costing us lives and livelihoods every year, President Trump’s response is to gut protections for some of our nation’s most important natural resources,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said in a statement on his official website.
“Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was unequivocal when he assured me during his confirmation hearing that consultation would take place prior to any actions on fisheries in the Pacific. No such consultation occurred in advance of today’s executive order. The public deserves answers, and I expect him to come before Congress to explain this misguided decision,” he continued.
A Trend in Environmental Rollbacks
The Pacific Remote Islands region is considered one of the last relatively untouched ocean environments in the world. Conservationists fear that allowing commercial fishing could cause irreversible harm. They also warn that this move sets a troubling precedent for rolling back environmental protections in other national monuments.
The rollback is already facing scrutiny from legal and environmental organizations, who are exploring potential lawsuits or legislative pushback.
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