Today ( September 25 ) , Barack Obama created thelargest marine reserveon the planet , west of Hawaii . ThePacific Remote Islands Marine National Monumenthas been expanded to six times its original sizing , now spanning almost 490,000 solid miles of U.S. waters in the Pacific Ocean .
For some perspective on the new size of it of the reserve , it ’s about the same area as Texas , California , and Georgia , all put together . Byinternational law , 200 mile off the coast is the enceinte amount of ocean water the U.S. is capable to protect aroundseven island , include Howland Island , Baker Island , Jarvis Island , and Palmyra Atoll .
This expansion is meant to protect some of the most vulnerable species on the satellite include coral Reef , crustaceans , sharks , sea polo-neck , and a variety of seabirds withfantastic nameslike “ disconsolate noddies , ” “ masked boobies , ” and “ sooty tern . ” These mintage are most threatened by ocean acidification , migrating species , and other negative effect of climate change . This will also keep seamount , which are essentially underwater deal teeming with life .
The Pacific Remote Islands are outlined in blue . These protected area will be expanding . Image recognition : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commercial sportfishing , oil oil production , and waste dumping are forbidden within this protected area . While this does n’t interpose with any current or plan drilling exploit , it could touch tuna fish sportfishing . According to theWashington Post , as much as 4 % of the tuna for the U.S. is sourced from this surface area .
The reserve was created in 2009 by George W. Bush , acting under the self-confidence of the1906 Antiquities Act . This gives the United States President the right to protect the surround without favorable reception from congress , provided there is an ecologic or scientific motive . At its inception , the reserve protect about 87,000 square miles . Obama used the same authority to expound it , as congress had been ineffectual to harmonise on term of environmental protection in the region .
Despite this tremendous plus of protected water , only about1 % of U.S.-controlled wateris under trade protection . As a compare , 10 % of the land area is protected by the governing .
