Trump Revives New England Marine Monument, Opening Doors to Commercial Fishing

US President Donald Trump has made waves again by signing a proclamation that reopens commercial fishing in a marine monument off New England’s coast. This area, known as the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, covers nearly 5,000 square miles southeast of Cape Cod.

Originally designated as a protected zone in 2016 by former president Barack Obama, this monument was created to safeguard deep-sea corals and various marine species like whales and sea turtles. However, during his first term in 2020, Trump lifted the fishing ban only for it to be reinstated by President Joe Biden in 2021 to preserve the ecosystem.

Now with Trump’s latest move, commercial fishing is back on the table. A White House spokesperson emphasized that this decision aims to bolster jobs and support local fishing communities that have historically depended on these waters.

The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA), based out of Portland, Maine, welcomed this announcement with open arms. they highlighted how the previous ban had severely impacted fishermen who relied on catching squid, tuna, red crab, tilefish, and lobster from these waters.

jerry Leeman—NEFSA’s CEO—voiced concerns about how stringent regulations have hindered fishermen’s livelihoods over the years. He believes reopening this area is crucial for making America’s natural resources more accessible while still being mindful of conservation efforts.

Leeman criticized the original designation of the monument as ineffective fishery management.He pointed out that back in 2020, there was a collaborative effort between NOAA and local councils to create a balanced plan allowing lasting fishing while protecting sensitive species—a plan he claims was ignored when full closure occurred in 2021.

According to NEFSA’s viewpoint, restoring access could strike a balance between ecological protection and economic viability for fishermen—a belief they hold strongly: stewardship can coexist with responsible fishing practices.However, not everyone shares this optimistic view.Marine scientists are raising alarms about potential ecological repercussions stemming from this decision. The New England Aquarium recently conducted an aerial survey revealing over 600 marine animals within the monument—including dolphin calves and humpback whale calves—and shared their findings online.

Peter auster from the University of Connecticut stressed that such monuments are vital for understanding human impacts on marine ecosystems; without fully protected areas free from industrial activities like fishing or drilling operations elsewhere in our oceans we risk losing critical insights into environmental health.

This marks Trump’s second move as taking office again; earlier he signed an order permitting commercial fishing across 400k acres within another pacific Marine National Monument previously closed off to such activities.

Despite backing from certain factions within the industry following regulatory freezes earlier this year—which caused delays affecting East Coast fisheries—the overall landscape remains uncertain for many involved in U.S.-based fisheries valued at around $320 billion according to reports by Reuters.