Fresh opposition is mounting against a recent federal policy change that allows commercial fishing in a vast protected area off the coast of Massachusetts.
Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument covers more than 5,000 square miles that researchers consider "a marine mammal hotspot," according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was designated as a national monument in 2016.
President Donald Trump on Feb. 6 lifted a ban on commercial fishing in the monument. Numerous environmental groups, scientists, ocean advocates and others opposed the move. The latest criticism came Friday from the America the Beautiful for All Coalition, a partnership of more than 350 organizations focused on the environment and conservation.
"When we choose to safeguard something, that commitment should be permanent," Angelo Villagomez, America the Beautiful for All Ocean Workgroup Co-lead, said in a news release. "Our public lands and waters are part of our shared heritage — meant to endure, not to be bargained away.”
The Fish and Wildlife Service notes on its website that the area is home to at least 10 dolphin species and 13 whale species, some of whom feed and raise calves in the protected waters. Several are very rare, including the endangered sperm whale, sei whale, and fin whale. Deep sea corals and sea turtles are among other species provided haven by the monument.
Besides potential disruption to habitat from commercial fishing, critics also cite the danger to marine mammals of entanglement with fishing gear.
Trump originally opened the monument to commercial fishing in 2020 during his first term. President Joe Biden closed it after he took office in 2021.
The move to reopen the area to commercial fishing is the latest by Trump to roll back environmental safeguards and conservation policies. Last year, the Trump Administration opened commercial fishing at the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument but a federal court blocked the decision.
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