President Trump signed an executive order that opens up commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage National Marine Monument, covering about 490,000 square miles of ocean southwest of Hawaii. The removal of protected status under Executive Order has been proved in court under the last Trump Administration to violate the Antiquities Act. New litigation from environmental groups is pending in response to the Executive Order.
Read MoreBiden Moves to Create New Sanctuary in South Pacific Ocean
Shark Stewards, along with several other organizations, is urging managers of the Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA to support increased protection of migratory species and pelagic and reef species of sharks and rays as part of the draft Monument Management Plan, expected by the end of 2023.
The coral reefs of the and marine ecosystems of the Pacific Islands support healthy wildlife, provide climate resilience, and provide a variety of cultural and socio-economic benefits. We must act now to support these important efforts protecting vanishing wildlife and imperiled coral reefs.
Read MoreStop Radiation Dumping in the Pacific
Japan proposes to release 1.3 million tons of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear meltdown into the Pacific ocean sometime in the Spring or Summer of 2023.
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