Secretary Jewell Applauds Expansion of Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today applauded President Obama for his action to designate the largest marine reserve in the world to protect the pristine waters from commercial resource extraction including commercial fishing.

The proclamation expands the existing Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, one of the most intact, ecologically sound marine environments in the world, to six times its current size, resulting in 370,000 square nautical miles (490,000 square miles) around these islands and atolls in the south-central Pacific Ocean.

“The President's action protects one of the most spectacular and vulnerable areas on earth,” said Secretary Jewell. “As our world's oceans come under increasing pressure from climate change, ocean acidification and resource extraction, expanding the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument will further protect these National Wildlife Refuges and their surrounding ecosystems for the benefit of future generations. Today marks another step toward supporting the beauty and balance of our diverse country – from the mountain peaks to the ocean depths – that strengthen our economy and define us as a nation.”

The expanded monument will continue to be managed by the Departments of the Interior and Commerce through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, respectively.

President Obama's Proclamation can be found here.