Surfrider: Trump Weakens Protections for Three Marine Monuments

The federal administration continued its assault on environmental protections by opening three federal marine protected areas in the Pacific Ocean to commercial fishing. On June 11, President Trump signed a proclamation to weaken three of America's marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean, rolling back protections for roughly half a million square miles of pristine ocean habitat. The proclamation removes the prohibition on commercial fishing for parts of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. The move opens these outstanding ocean conservation areas to future damage from fishing gear and industrial harvest. Learn MORE.