Trump reopens atlantic’s only marine national monument to commercial fishing despite conservation concerns

President Donald Trump has once again opened the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing, marking another step in his administration’s efforts to deregulate American waters. The February 6th proclamation affects the Atlantic Ocean’s only marine national monument, a vast 4,913-square-mile protected area located 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod.

This pristine marine sanctuary serves as a critical habitat for an extraordinary array of wildlife, including deep-sea corals, sponges, whale sharks, and numerous marine mammal species. The monument’s unique underwater canyons and seamounts create vital ecosystems that support marine food webs from the seafloor to the surface.

The decision has sparked fierce debate between industry supporters and environmental advocates. Trump justified the move by claiming it would benefit the fishing industry without endangering marine species, drawing praise from commercial fishing groups. However, conservation scientists and Democratic lawmakers strongly oppose the decision, arguing it puts irreplaceable marine ecosystems at risk.

“This Monument supports amazing species from the seafloor to the sea surface,” said Jessica Redfern of the New England Aquarium, warning that removing protections endangers these vulnerable populations. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut condemned the proclamation as “reckless” and “hugely misguided,” emphasizing that this “natural treasure should be preserved for future generations, not endangered by industrial fishing.” The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between economic interests and marine conservation efforts in American waters.