Trump Opens Marine National Monument to Commercial Fisheries

nytimes.comPublished: 4/17/2025

Summary

President Trump has announced plans to allow commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, reversing a decade-long protection policy. This reserve, expanded by Obama and initially established by Bush, spans nearly 500,000 square miles west of Hawaii. Additionally, another executive order aims to reduce regulations on U.S. commercial fishing industries, with the Interior Department tasked to review other marine monuments for potential similar changes.