We have submitted written testimony to NOAA fisheries administrators  expressing our strenuous opposition to the recent final action taken by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) to restore commercial fishing within the Pacific Remote Islands, Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments. This recommendation to allow longline and purse seine fishing within 50–200 nm of these protected areas is a direct assault on some of the world’s last remaining intact marine ecosystems and must be rejected by NOAA Fisheries.

As highlighted by Native Hawaiians including Solomon Pili Kaho’ohalahala, Founding Member of Kāpaʻa, these monuments represent a commitment to cutural heritage, managing the ocean with Pono (righteousness) and Kuleana (responsibility). To allow industrial extraction in these sanctuaries is a violation of the public trust and the scientific purpose for which they were created. After opening the Pacific Heritage Marine National Monument to fishing in 2025, the federal district court in Honolulu ruled that commercial fishing cannot legally continue in the marine national monument. 

 We urge NOAA Fisheries to uphold the full protections of the Pacific Marine National Monuments and deny the WPRFMC’s recommendation to reopen these waters to commercial fishing.

Please share this petition. We are adding your voice to protect the  Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.