Trump reopens protected Pacific waters to commercial fishing, sparking backlash

President Trump has opened a vast marine reserve in the Pacific Ocean to commercial fishing, rolling back more than a decade of protections in a move he says will boost the U.S. seafood industry.

Rebecca Dzombak and Lisa Friedman report for The New York Times.

In short:

• Trump signed an executive order allowing commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, a 500,000-square-mile protected area established by President George W. Bush and expanded by President Obama.
• A second order directed federal agencies to ease restrictions on fishing and aquaculture, with supporters arguing the move will help the economies of Pacific territories like American Samoa.
• Environmental groups and marine scientists say the move threatens biodiversity and undermines legal protections, and they plan to challenge the order in court.

Key quote:

“This is a gift to industrial fishing fleets and a slap in the face to science and the generations of Pacific Islanders who have long called for greater protection of these sacred waters.”

— Maxx Phillips, director for Hawaii and Pacific Islands at the Center for Biological Diversity

Why this matters:

Marine protected areas function as biodiversity banks: When left alone, they teem with life, serve as fish nurseries, and often boost surrounding fisheries by allowing populations to regenerate. They also have a role in mitigating and building resilience against the effects of climate change. The Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is one of the largest such zones on Earth, home to endangered whales, turtles, deep-sea corals, and countless species not found elsewhere. Opening it to industrial fishing risks damaging fragile ecosystems that may take decades — or longer — to recover. Critics argue the decision is part of a broader push to prioritize short-term economic gain over long-term ecological and food security. The U.S. holds jurisdiction over more ocean territory than any other nation. What it chooses to do with that responsibility will shape the health of the planet’s largest ecosystem and the livelihoods of coastal communities for generations to come.

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