A Marine Treasure in Hawaii Is Protected

President Bush creates vast ocean refuge to preserve rare sea animals and corals

Posted: 16-Jun-2006; Updated: 26-Jul-2007

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Hawaii's population of rare green sea turtles now has a better chance of survival. Most nest in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. (Photo: NOAA)

President George W. Bush announced last week that he will establish the world’s largest marine protected area to safeguard a remote, biologically rich string of islands and submerged lands known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).  Extending over 84 million acres, the proposed marine sanctuary is more than 38 times larger than Yellowstone National Park, and larger than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. 

Following the process for scientific and public input outlined by Congress, the Bush Administration has developed a plan that will manage the sanctuary to protect the marine animals, coral reefs and seabird breeding habitat in one of the most remote coral reef ecosystems on Earth. Over 7,000 species are found in the region, at least one-third of which are unique to Hawai'i. 

Environmental Defense scientist Dr. Stephanie Fried worked for years to secure strong protections for the waters of this 1,200-mile string of islands. Last fall, after signing regulations to safeguard state waters, Hawaii's Governor Linda Lingle  thanked Fried for her advocacy. Fried is a founding member of the NWHI hui – the broad network of Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, fishers and scientists with groups including `Ìlio`ulaokalani Coalition, KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance and Sierra Club/ Hawai`i, which led the campaign for NWHI protections.

Full news release - "Environmentalists Praise Bush's Action to Create the World's Largest Marine Protected Area: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Sanctuary" (6/15/2006)

In the News

The creation of this national monument — more than 100 times larger than Yosemite Park — made the headlines of major news outlets. 

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Proclaimed a National Monument

Environment News Service | June 15, 2006

"This is the largest protection area in the United States. It is an event unparalled in history," said Stephanie Fried of Environmental Defense, who has worked tirelessly for years to achieve protection for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. "But we will still need to see the language, the details," she said.

Bush to create world's biggest ocean preserve

MSNBC.com | June 15, 2006

Environmental Defense president Fred Krupp commented:

"The president is creating the world's largest marine protected area. It's as important as the establishment of Yellowstone - arguably the crown jewel of the National Park System."

Bush plans vast protected sea area in Hawaii

New York Times | June 15, 2006
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"This is really for the first time saying the primary purpose of this area of the ocean is to be a pristine, or nearly pristine, kind of place," said David Festa, director of ocean programs at Environmental Defense, a private group. "It would take it off the books as a fishing ground. That's really the first time we'll have done that in any kind of sizable area."