Obama Creates the Largest Marine Protected Place on Earth

Last Friday, US President Obama used his executive authority to create the largest marine protected area on earth by significantly enlarging a national marine monument by 582,578 square miles in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands the Washington Post said.

Banned Commercial Fishing

From now on, all forms commercial activities, including large scale fishing and deep-sea mining are banned in the newly expanded protected area. Nonetheless, recreational fishing, extraction of materials for traditional Hawaiian cultural purposes and acaemic research will be allowed under a federal permit.

Former President George W. Bush was the first to establish the national marine monument ten years ago.

Highest Priority on Environmental Conservation

Obama's executive decision displays once again that the second term of his presidency has given the highest priority on environmental conservation and climate change.

Executive Authority

Obama wielded powers accorded to him  by executive authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act to defend and preserve more than 548 million acres of federal land and water.

The US President has now double the land and sea area of nationally protected areas than any of his predecessors.

Beginning with President Theodore Roosevelt in the early 20th century in 1909 seven US presidents have taken bold steps to defend the natural resources of Hawaii, which is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth.

Obama declared in the Washington Post, "It is in the public interest to preserve the marine environment"