HONOLULU, Hawaii — A federal judge has ordered a halt to commercial fishing in a significant area of the Pacific Ocean, siding with environmentalists who argued against a rollback of federal protections implemented during the Trump administration.
The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Micah W. J. Smith, reinstates protections for the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, home to diverse marine life including turtles, seabirds, and mammals. Environmental advocates assert that longline fishing, which involves baited hooks on lines measuring 60 miles or longer, poses a significant threat to these species.
The Trump administration’s decision to allow commercial fishing in parts of the monument came under fire for lacking adequate public input and regulatory review, according to the lawsuit brought forth by a coalition of environmental groups. They argued that the changes undermined crucial protections established for the monument.
In response to the ruling, Earthjustice, a legal advocacy organization representing the plaintiffs, confirmed that commercial fishing vessels would need to cease operations in waters ranging from 50 to 200 nautical miles around Johnston Atoll, Jarvis Island, and Wake Island immediately.
Attorneys from the U.S. Justice Department, who represented the government, did not respond to requests for comment. The legal battle highlights ongoing tensions between environmental protections and commercial interests in U.S. waters.
Former President Trump asserted the country’s ambition to be a leader in seafood production, and his administration’s efforts included an April executive order aimed at relaxing fishing regulations within previously protected zones. This regulatory shift was followed by a letter from the National Marine Fisheries Service granting commercial fishers permission to operate in the monument, a move that environmental advocates contested.
Created in 2009 under President George W. Bush and expanded in 2014 by President Barack Obama, the marine monument covers approximately 500,000 square miles in the central Pacific and is regarded as a vital habitat for a range of wildlife.
Earthjustice’s lawsuit challenged the legitimacy of the fisheries service’s letter and the judge’s ruling found that the government did not adequately defend its position. Smith ruled in favor of the environmentalists, stating the government forfeited its arguments by not responding adequately to the challenges posed.
David Henkin, an attorney for Earthjustice, emphasized that the ruling mandates a reassessment of fishing practices within the monument to protect its ecological integrity. This requirement ensures that any future fishing activities will consider the preservation of the area’s unique marine environment.
Members of Hawaii’s longline fishing industry have previously implemented various measures, such as the use of circle hooks, to mitigate risks to marine wildlife. However, the lawsuit also raised concerns about potential harm to the cultural and spiritual ties of Native Hawaiians to these waters, emphasizing the deep connections to their ancestral traditions and practices.
This legal development underscores the ongoing clash between conservation efforts and the interests of commercial fishing in a region that holds both ecological and cultural significance.
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