NOAAFinal Rule
Designation of Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary
EnvironmentAgriculture
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Summary
The federal government is officially designating Papahanaumokuakea, a vast ocean area northwest of Hawaii, as a protected marine sanctuary. This means the area will have strict rules to protect its coral reefs, marine life, and cultural sites from damage caused by fishing, pollution, and other human activities.
Key Points
- 1Papahanaumokuakea, which covers millions of acres of ocean, is now officially protected as a National Marine Sanctuary by NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
- 2The sanctuary includes coral reefs, seamounts, and islands that are home to many unique fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals found nowhere else on Earth
- 3Commercial fishing and other extractive activities will be restricted or banned in the sanctuary to prevent damage to the ecosystem and allow marine life to recover
- 4The area holds significant cultural and historical importance to Native Hawaiian people, and the designation recognizes and protects these sacred sites
- 5New regulations will be enforced to manage human activities in the sanctuary, with violations subject to fines and penalties
Key Dates
Published
March 24, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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