26 August 2016: US President Barack Obama created the world’s largest marine protected area (MPA) by expanding the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument to protect and preserve the marine area of the Northwestern Hawaiian islands. The designation will provide protection for over 7,000 marine species, including the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the threatened green sea turtle, endangered and threatened whale and dolphin species, yellowfin and bigeye tuna, and black coral that is 4,500 years old.

The extension of the marine monument is expected to help promote biodiversity, tackle climate change, replenish tuna stocks, and promote local community resource management by native Hawaiians. Fishing and mining will be banned in the area, although recreational fishing with a permit will continue to be allowed.

Approximately 25% of the species found in the area’s reef ecosystem are unique to the Hawaiian Islands. The area contains many species of coral, fish and marine mammals, over 14 million seabirds, and the world’s most endangered duck, the Laysan duck.

Papahānaumokuākea includes unique geological features, including more than 75 seamounts, numerous underwater ridges, and six underwater volcanoes. These features provide deep-sea habitat for species such as coral, fish, invertebrates and sponges.

George W. Bush originally designated the monument in 2006. With the expansion, the monument will encompass 582,578 square miles, more than double the size of Texas. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the monument a World Heritage site in 2010. It is one of only 35 mixed UNESCO World Heritage site’s in the world and the only one in the US. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) designates the monument as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area. [White House Press Release] [Fact Sheet] [White House Blog] [Papahānaumokuākea Website]