Trump opens 3 Pacific marine monuments to commercial fishing
Why it matters: The move reverses protections in remote U.S. waters and is likely to deepen clashes with environmental groups.
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Thursday allowing commercial fishing in parts of three marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean, expanding his rollback of protected marine areas. The action covers portions of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. Trump said the change would help the U.S. seafood industry compete in the global market. The move follows his February step to restore fishing in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off New England. Environmental groups criticized the latest action, arguing the protected zones are important habitat for rare marine life.