Expanded Pacific Marine Reserve Protects Critically Important Sea Life

President Obama will expand the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument, southwest of Hawaii, putting under protection large new areas of ocean with some of the richest and most diverse sea life on the planet. The original 83,000-square mile monument was designated under the Antiquities Act by President George W. Bush.

Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, made the following statement:
 
 "This is a far-sighted action that will preserve for future generations a critically important reserve that can help reverse the decline of the marine environment. The President acted expeditiously, while the area is still largely pristine and undisturbed. The abundance of sea life there--rare species of whales, 5,000-year-old corals, hundreds of sea mounts brimming with life--is incomparable. This demonstrates the bipartisan support for protecting the area and should encourage other nations to protect their own valuable marine environments."