By Nikki Harasta | April 10, 2026
Far offshore, beyond the continental shelf, some of the most intact ocean ecosystems on Earth are home to deep-sea corals, marine mammals, and endangered species.
These ecosystems persist thanks to the protections afforded them by their status as Marine National Monuments. Established under President Roosevelt, the Antiquities Act has given Presidents the authority to protect federal areas of natural or cultural significance since 1906. Marine National Monuments represent the United States’ highest level of ocean protection, safeguarding globally significant biodiversity hotspots while anchoring scientific research and a substantial share of the world’s fully and highly protected marine areas. However, recent policy shifts by the Trump Administration are downgrading these protections and re-exposing these biodiversity hotspots to destructive industrial fishing.
Layers of Anti-Conservation Policies
In February, Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation removing restrictions on commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. In response this week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) retroactively modified fishing regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to conform with the Proclamation without adhering to established rulemaking processes, which require public notice and an open comment period. As a result, this biodiversity hotspot is now at risk from destructive fisheries driven by short-term economic gain.
This regressive policy follows a 2025 Executive Order mandating the review of commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. The executive action is part of the broader policy direction established by the ‘Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness’ Executive Order, which directs agencies to expand fishing access and review existing protections. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) finalized its review last week and issued an expanded recommendation to restore commercial fishing not only in the Pacific Island Heritage Monument, but across all four Pacific Monuments as well. The Pacific Monuments are some of the most pristine tropical marine environments in the ocean and largest fully/highly protected MPAs in the world, including Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench, and Papahānaumokuākea, the last of which is recognized as a Blue Park for its extraordinary biodiversity and for meeting the gold standard of effective ocean protection.
The final decision on the Pacific Islands Heritage Monument now falls once again upon the NOAA. If the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Monument is any indication, they may choose to repeal the regulation without any public review or input and the legality of this action is yet unclear. The other three monuments will require presidential follow up through the ‘Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness’ Executive Order. What hangs in the balance is over 3 million km2 of the world’s fully protected area – roughly the size of India. This reversal would remove nearly all of the U.S.’s meaningful ocean conservation, dropping its fully/highly protected coverage from 25.2% to 0.01%. This would revert the global ocean coverage of effectively protected marine area from 3.3% to 2.6%, while the official number of reported global MPAs continues to climb past 10%.
These rollbacks do not reflect a standard scientific or regulatory process carried through established public procedures, but rather a politically directed action implemented through NOAA, raising concerns about jurisdictional overreach and procedural non-compliance. The push to reopen these protected areas reflects a convergence between federal policy priorities and long-standing industry pressure from Western Pacific tuna fisheries seeking access to previously protected waters.
Resisting Destructive Policies
As the world edges closer to social, geopolitical, and environmental tipping points, it is incumbent upon all of us to do our small part in resisting destructive policies. With regard to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the legality of NOAA’s decision to rescind the commercial fishing restriction will be challenged in the courts.
As for the Pacific Monuments, NOAA currently has the opportunity to:
- Uphold the democratic process by aligning itself with national standards established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and;
- Safeguard meaningful protection for important ocean areas by denying the WESPAC recommendation. Once a decision is made, U.S. law mandates that a public comment period shall be opened for citizens to make their voices a part of the official record. We will be watching closely to see whether the public is given the opportunity to comment, and will be ready to submit input or speak out against any failure to follow proper legal process.
Until then, here are ways you can take action:
- Read the full joint statement from members of Oceania.
- Sign the petitions.
- Amplify Tribal leadership and frontline voices.
- Contact your elected officials (U.S.) and demand protection of marine monuments.
- Raise awareness by sharing this blog on your favorite social media platform.