Environmentalists say the Trump administration needs to hear input from the public on any moves to open up marine national monuments to commercial fishing.
In a letter signed by more than 230 scientists and 53 ocean conservation organizations, critics say President Donald Trump’s April executive order, titled “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,” could have substantial impacts on five marine monuments if commercial fishing is allowed, including physical damage to pristine habitat for fish, as well as harm to marine mammals, coral and other ocean life.
The letter, released Tuesday, says lifting of fishing bans in marine monuments would place “sensitive ocean ecosystems and the local economies that rely on them” at risk of permanent damage from “industrial-scale fishing.” The letter comes as a 45-day public comment window on strategies to implement the order closes Monday evening.
Any move to allow commercial fishing must include a rulemaking process with a public comment period, the letter said.
