President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a proclamation reopening nearly 500,000 square miles of protected Pacific waters to commercial fishing, restoring access to key marine zones as part of his "America First Fishing Policy." The White House said the move restores commercial fishing access to the Mau and Ho‘omalu Zones of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.
The administration said the goal is to boost domestic seafood production, support American jobs and reduce reliance on imported seafood.
The White House argued previous restrictions unnecessarily limited American fishermen while doing little to improve conservation because many commercially important fish species are highly migratory and already protected under existing fisheries laws.
Trump said reopening these waters would strengthen domestic seafood supply chains and create economic opportunities for fishing families, processors and coastal communities.
Read Also: Ariana Grande Rips White House For Using Her Hit Song 'Bye' In Viral ICE Arrest Video: 'Do Not Ever Use My Music…' Fishermen Praise Trump During the signing event, fishing industry representatives strongly backed the move, saying the administration had delivered major relief to an industry burdened by years of regulatory pressure.
