Last Thursday, President **[Donald Trump](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** signed a decree that **[reactivates commercial fishing](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** in a previously protected marine sanctuary in the **[Pacific Ocean](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**.
The measure directly affects the **[National Marine Monument of the Pacific Remote Islands](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**. It is an extensive sanctuary where one of the largest concentrations of **[marine biodiversity](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** on the planet is found.
Located in the **[Mariana archipelago](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, this ecosystem has been protected since **[2009](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, when it was established by **[George Bush](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**. Its conservation area was expanded in **[2014](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** under the administration of **[Barack Obama](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**. Until this week, all human activities were prohibited in the area, including **[commercial and sport fishing, mining, and drilling](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**.
## Reasons behind the measure
Trump justified the decision by pointing out the need for **[American fishermen](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** to access **[international waters](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** to compete with **[foreign fleets](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** operating under **[weak regulations and high subsidies](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**. He also assured that **[properly managed fishing](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** would not compromise the **[scientific and historical values](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** protected in the sanctuary.
It is worth noting that in **[2017](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, the marine sanctuary was included in the **[US Indicative List](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** to be considered for **[World Heritage status](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**. However, the designation has not prevented changes in the **[country’s environmental policies](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/trump-prohibe-a-los-cientificos-federales-trabajar-en-un-informe-climatico-global-crucial/)**.
## A unique ecosystem in danger
The **[National Marine Monument of the Pacific Remote Islands](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** covers over **[125,000 square kilometers](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** in the **[Pacific Ocean](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, including **[coral reefs](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** and **[island habitats](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**.
Within its boundaries are **[seven national marine refuges](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, such as **[Howland, Baker, and Jarvis islands](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, the **[Johnston, Wake, and Palmyra atolls](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, and the **[Kingman Reef](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**. In total, the sanctuary exceeds **[one million square kilometers](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, an extension larger than all **[US National Parks](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** combined.
This territory is home to some of the world’s most **[endangered species](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, including the **[green turtle](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, giant **[clams](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**, and the **[Napoleon fish](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)**. Furthermore, it is home to **[mammals, fish, seabirds, and vegetation](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/la-polemica-medida-de-donald-trump-contra-los-buhos-1300-millones-para-matarlos/)** that do not exist in any other region of
