President Trump signed an executive order opening 400,000 square miles southwest of Hawaii to commercial fishing, reversing protections established by previous administrations. Local groups decry this move as short-sighted, arguing it threatens endangered species and the cultural heritage of Indigenous Pacific Islanders. The Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, which has been protected since 2009, is seen as vital to the ecosystem and the livelihoods of local communities. The proclamation justifies the order by stating it will help American fishing fleets compete against foreign vessels in international waters.
The Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is more than a place for fishing, it is vital to the cultural heart of the Pacific Peoples.
Opening this sacred place for exploitation is short-sighted and does not consider current or future generations of Pacific People who rely on a healthy ocean.
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