Environmental Groups Sue Trump Over Pacific Monument Fishing Rollback

Several environmental groups have filed lawsuits challenging President Donald Trump's decision to lift the commercial fishing ban in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, arguing that the move exceeds presidential authority under the Antiquities Act and threatens fragile marine ecosystems. The monument, established in 2009 and expanded in 2014, protects a vast area of ocean around islands such as Johnston Atoll, Palmyra, Wake, and Jarvis, which are home to endangered species including sharks, turtles, and seabirds. Following Trump's proclamation, local fishing fleets quickly began commercial fishing in the newly opened waters, prompting concerns about the impact on marine life and traditional cultural practices. Plaintiffs contend that only Congress has the power to revoke such protections and accuse the National Marine Fisheries Service of unlawfully issuing fishing permits within the monument. Trump defended his action as necessary to help American fishermen compete against foreign fleets, despite criticism that the opened areas are ecologically sensitive and difficult to fish. Conservationists warn that commercial fishing in these waters could disrupt ecosystems, cause excessive bycatch, and undermine the monument's role as a marine sanctuary.