Today, President Barack Obama expanded the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument off the coast of Hawaii by 442,781 square miles. Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Congresswoman Aumua Amata (American Samoa) issued the following statements:

“The sweeping size of this expansion is unjustified,” Bishop stated. “It will impose great harm to a critical local industry. The President once again abused the Antiquities Act so there could be no meaningful input from Native Hawaiians and regional industry. The President’s legacy may be intact – at the expense of local fisheries, cultural traditions and State rights.”

"The continuation of these designations without the consultation of the local governments and industry is irresponsible and is placing American Samoa, who is already the most economically challenged state or territory in the U.S., at even greater risk," Amata stated. “Our local fishing industry, which comprises more than 80% of the local economy depends heavily on access to these waters."

Background Information:   

• Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. April. 2016. 

• Hawaii Longline Association. July. 2016.

• “Costs will outweigh benefits of larger marine sanctuary.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Aug. 2016.

• “All For Sustainability, But not Monument Expansion.” Honolulu Civil Beat. 18 Aug. 2016.

• “Both Sides in Marine Monument Fight Invoke Hawaiian Culture.” Associated Press. 16 Aug. 2016.

• “Larger sanctuary will cause problems.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 16 Aug. 2016.

• “Concerns over whether USA can manage huge fishing protected zone.” Radio New Zealand. 15 Aug. 2016.

• “Advocates of monument expansion a case study of cognitive dissonance.” Honolulu Star-Advertister. 14 Aug. 2016.

• “Creation of World’s Largest Marine Reserve in Hawaii Sparks Water Fight.” BuzzFeed. 12 Aug. 2016.

• “Expanding Monument Would Set a Dangerous Precedent.” Honolulu Civil Beat. 11 Aug. 2016.

• “Hawaii’s commercial fishery a good steward of the ocean.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 10 Aug. 2016.

• “Give public a say in sanctuary expansion.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 2 Aug. 2016.

• “Bid to expand Papahanaumokuakea must be public, transparent process.” Honolulu Star Advertiser. July 31, 2016

• “Ariyoshi, Akaka to hold news conference regarding monument expansion.” Pacific Business News. 25 July 2016.

• “WesPac Defensive About Proposed Monument Expansion.” Seafoodnews.com 21 July 2016.

• “Oppose expansion of Papahanaumokuakea.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 17 July 2016.

• “Regional fishing body opposes expansion of Hawaii monument.” Radio New Zealand. 16 June 2016.

• “Scientist says expanding Hawaii monument is abuse of law.” Radio New Zealand. 16 June 2016.

• “Opponents say marine monument expansion would hurt fishing industry.” Hawaii News Now. 15 July 2016.

• “Feds Want Public Input on Marine Monument Expansion.” Honolulu Civil Beat. 14 July 2016.

• “Papahanaumokuakea: Shatz Absurdly Wrong.” Hawaii Free Press. 11 July 2016.

• “Expansion of NWHI Should be Opposed.” The Garden Island News . 10 July 2016.

• “Can We Talk About Papahanaumokuakea?” Honolulu Civil Beat. 8 July 2016.

• “Fresh Fish Important to Many Areas in Hawaii.” The Garden Island. 7 July 2016

• “Unintended Consequences of Monument Expansion.” Pacific Business News. 1 July 2016

• “Hawaii Fishermen Have High Standards.” Honolulu Star Advertiser. 12 May 2016.

• “Bigger Reserve Won’t Cut Fish Exploitation.” Honolulu Star Advertiser. 12 July 2016.

• “Proposed Fishing Rules Would Hurt Hawaiians.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 14 May 2016.

• “More Restrictions on Fishery Not Needed.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 28 June 2016.

• “Obama Should Say No to Expanded Marine Monument.” Honolulu Civil Beat. 24 June 2016.

• “Big Environmental Groups Continue to Prey Upon Hawaii Fishing Grounds.” Hawaii Fishing News. June 2016.

• “Why U.S. Fisheries Are a Global Model of Sustainability.” Honolulu Civil Beat. 5 May 2016.