President Unlocks Vast Pacific Fishing Grounds in National Monument
Published Date: 4/22/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
The President just opened up parts of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument for American commercial fishing, saying it won’t harm the protected wildlife or ecosystems. This change affects U.S. fishing fleets, letting them fish in over 400,000 square miles of ocean that were off-limits before. The move aims to boost the fishing industry starting now, while still keeping nature safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Reopens 400,000+ sq mi to U.S. fleets
The proclamation removes the prohibition on commercial fishing in parts of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, restoring U.S. commercial access to over 400,000 square miles that were previously withdrawn. It allows American fishing fleets to fish in areas of the Monument expansion beginning with this proclamation.
Intended boost for American Samoa’s fishing economy
The proclamation notes that American fishing fleets lost access to nearly half of the U.S. Pacific EEZ and that places like American Samoa have private‑sector economies over 80 percent dependent on the fishing industry; reopening access is presented as a measure to help those fishermen and territories.
U.S.-flagged vessels only to fish
The proclamation allows commercial fishing in the Monument only by United States–flagged vessels, though permits may be issued to foreign‑flagged vessels to transship fish harvested by U.S. fishermen. This restriction applies where the Monument is coterminous with the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.
Commerce to repeal fishing restrictions quickly
The Secretary of Commerce, through NOAA, is directed to expeditiously publish proposed rules in the Federal Register to amend or repeal regulations that restrict commercial fishing in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
Fishing remains subject to federal conservation laws
The proclamation states that existing laws—such as the Magnuson‑Stevens Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Clean Water Act, and others—continue to apply and help protect species, habitats, and water quality in the Monument.
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Key Dates
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