Marine Monument
Today, President Bush created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, protecting the marine life around the islands with the largest marine reserve on the planet, an area of almost 140,000 square miles, including 4,500 miles of coral reef habit.
In his remarks the President rightfully stated, “This is a big deal.”
The Monument will protect one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world, one that is home to sharks, whales, extensive coral reefs, threatened sea turtles, and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. It will be free from commercial extractive activities, allowing the entire marine ecosystem to continue to thrive for future generations.
By immediately creating a National Monument, the President jump-started efforts to protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands by at least a year. The Sanctuary process would have taken at least another year to complete. National monument designation also ensures protections are permanent, and not subject to periodic revision as they are with a national marine sanctuary.
For more information on the President’s actions, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and what today’s action means for the long-term protection of this remarkable ecosystem
please visit The Ocean Conservancy’s website.
What’s Next:
The proclamation creating the Monument charges the Dept. of Commerce and the Dept. of Interior to work with the State of Hawaii and the public to develop a management plan.

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