FR 2025-07060

In a proclamation dated April 17, 2025, President Donald J. Trump authorized commercial fishing in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM), undoing previous restrictions. The decision was primarily based on the belief that careful management of these fishing activities could avoid harming the area’s historical and scientific interests. This reversal is partly intended to benefit American fishing fleets, granting them access to parts of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, while ensuring protection of marine environments through existing federal laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Summary and Context

The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established to protect and preserve diverse marine life and ecosystems around several Pacific islands and atolls. Previously, commercial fishing was banned to shield these sensitive habitats. With this proclamation, the President is lifting parts of that ban, permitting controlled commercial fishing by U.S.-flagged vessels. The decision to open these waters is based on the assertion that the migratory nature of certain fish species means current protections do little to prevent overfishing.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several important issues raised by this change:

• Lack of Clear Management Details: The proclamation lacks specific guidelines on how commercial fishing will be "appropriately managed." Without clear regulatory details or enforcement measures, there is uncertainty over how environmental impacts will be effectively controlled.

• Potential Favoritism: The document restricts commercial fishing to U.S.-flagged vessels, potentially placing international stakeholders at a disadvantage. The lack of a clear rationale for exclusively permitting U.S.-flagged commercial fishing could lead to claims of favoritism or international disputes.

• Environmental Loopholes: With provisions for foreign vessels to engage in transshipment, there's a risk of loopholes that might promote overfishing, undermining conservation efforts within and beyond the protected areas.

• Vague Language on Regulation Changes: The phrase "to amend or repeal all burdensome regulations" is ambiguous, with "burdensome" not clearly defined. This vagueness can lead to wide-ranging interpretations that might weaken necessary environmental protections.

• Impact on Conservation Efforts: There is no clear assessment of how these changes will affect existing conservation measures, raising the possibility of legal challenges related to environmental degradation.

Impacts on the Public and Stakeholders

This policy change may have wide-ranging impacts both broadly and on specific groups:

• Public Impact: The general public may feel the effects indirectly, such as through changes in the availability of fish products, economic impacts on coastal and fishing communities, and potential environmental degradations that affect biodiversity.

• Impact on Fishing Industry: American fishermen are likely to benefit from expanded fishing territories. They may face less competition from subsidized foreign fleets which now have restrictive access, thereby potentially enhancing their economic stability and contributing to the local economies of U.S. territories like American Samoa.

• Environmental Community: Environmentalists and conservationists may view this policy with concern, fearing potential negative impacts on marine ecosystems and arguing for stronger protective measures.

• International Relations: The policy could strain international relations, particularly with countries whose fishing fleets might be affected by the restriction on foreign vessels, except for transshipment purposes.

In summary, while the proclamation opens opportunities for the U.S. fishing industry, it also brings with it crucial questions regarding ecological management, international equity, and regulatory clarity.