Trump Administration Moves to Strip Marine Protected Status from Ocean Monuments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration announced changes that would end marine protected area (MPA) protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument by revoking Proclamation 10287, a move that would allow commercial fishing in ocean areas set aside for permanent protection.

The following is a reaction from Brad Sewell, managing director, oceans, at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is a truly special place: a living scientific laboratory, a refuge for creatures as varied as cold-water corals and sperm whales. Its status as a national monument means that it’s permanently protected from damage by commercial fishing and other extractive activities, keeping it intact for future generations. Trump’s move to dismantle those protections is unlawful, and we’re confident that it won’t stand.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).