U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker Statement on President Obama Expanding the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker issued the following statement on the President’s proclamation to expand the existing Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, one of the most pristine tropical marine environments in the world.

“I commend President Obama’s announcement yesterday to broaden the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument from almost 87,000 square miles to more than 490,000 square miles. The President’s action to expand the Monument will fully protect the deep coral reefs, seamounts, and marine ecosystems unique to this part of the world. They are also currently among the most vulnerable areas to the negative impacts of climate change.

The proclamation builds on the Administration’s efforts to foster healthy and sustainable marine resources, habitats and ecosystems. Many of these places are currently unharmed and contain plentiful and diverse ecosystems that we must continue to protect and maintain for future generations. The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will continue to work closely with our colleagues at the Department of the Interior to develop a management plan that ensures the proper care and management of the Monument.”

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