Trump order to loosen fishing regulations poses major risks, experts warn

Source: The Guardian

Sun 27 Apr 2025 08.00 EDT
Last modified on Sun 27 Apr 2025 08.01 EDT


Environmental conservation groups are expressing major concerns over Donald Trump’s recent proclamation to reverse fishing regulations across the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine national monument, a federally protected area in the central Pacific Ocean spanning nearly 500,000 sq miles. As one of the most pristine tropical marine environments in the world, the monument is now at risk following Trump’s decision last week to unleash American commercial fishing in the area with far-reaching environmental consequences.

Established by George W Bush in 2009 and expanded by Barack Obama in 2014, the monument encompasses seven federally protected islands and atolls, as well as 165 seamounts – underwater mountains that are biodiversity hotspots. In addition to being home to many threatened, endangered and depleted species including 22 kinds of seabirds, green and hawksbill turtles, giant clams, bumphead parrotfish, dolphins and whales, the monument contains fragile ecosystems surrounding some of the world’s most ancient coral colonies.

It is also home to Kingman Reef, the most undisturbed coral reef within the US. According to Unesco, Kingman Reef has the greatest proportion of apex predators of any coral reef ecosystem that has been studied in the world. It hosts various shark species roam including grey reef sharks, as well as as oceanic white tips, hammerheads and silky sharks – all of which provide critical ecological balance.

Trump’s proclamation – which American Samoan tuna lobbyists heavily advocated for – allows US-flagged vessels to fish commercially within 50 to 200 nautical miles of the monument’s boundaries. The proclamation – which comes as more than 80% of the world’s coral reefs have been hit by the worst global bleaching event on record – also directs the commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, to “amend or repeal all burdensome regulations that restrict commercial fishing” in the area.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/27/trump-fishing-regulation-order-pacific-islands