Trump administration erodes marine protections, invites more fishing

The Trump administration is reducing environmentally oriented marine protections while expanding opportunities for fishing in U.S. waters, according to the report. In April 2025, President Trump signed an executive proclamation reopening nearly half a million square miles of Pacific ocean, coral reef, and island habitats to commercial fishing, including the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument covering areas such as Palmyra and Johnston atolls and Kingman Reef. Soon afterward, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a letter notifying commercial fishermen that the monument was open. The monument was created in 2009 under George W. Bush and expanded in 2014 under Barack Obama. Environmental groups, led by Earthjustice attorney David Henkin, argue the move violates the 1906 Antiquities Act and the Endangered Species Act. Federal judges have sided with environmentalists so far. In June, the administration expanded actions involving multiple marine monuments, directing fisheries officials to adjust regulations based on protecting scientific and historic objects.