← Surfrider Foundation
NOAARulemakingNOAA-NOS-2021-0114

Proposed Designation of a National Marine Sanctuary within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

RIN
—
Last modified
May 14, 2024
Comment window
closed 812d ago
Surfrider Foundation filings
1

Activity

Surfrider Foundation filed 1 comment on this docket between Jan 16, 2022 and Jan 16, 2022. 20 other organizations filed here. The comment window closed 812d ago.

What Surfrider Foundation filed (1)

Jan 16, 2022· Comment from Surfrider Foundation· NOAA-NOS-2021-0114-0017

As the Regional Manager of the Hawai'i Chapters of the Surfrider Foundation, I am writing to you in strong support to designate Papahānaumokuākea as a national marine sanctuary under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. Hawai'i has four local chapters as part of our national non-profit network, which works with grass-roots activists everyday to protect the world's beaches, oceans, and waves. In all, Surfrider operates 85 chapters, 30 youth clubs, and reaches over a quarter million members, supporters, and activists. In Hawai'i, as you know, the ocean is life, and the ocean is the very soul of those who call these remote islands home. Surfrider Foundationʻs four Hawai'i Chapters are some of the most active in our network and each year we work with the Hawai'i State Legislature and our City and County Councils to bring about progressive environmental policy shifts that will protect this public trust resource for generations into the future. In addition, the current PMNM management structure is a model for shared governance with local Indigenous communities, with the involvement of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as a co-trustee. I highly encourage maintaining and strengthening this shared governance model in the consideration of sanctuary status. Studies have documented that local Indigenous communities are the best stewards of marine protection because of their framework of the responsibility for reciprocal caring for sacred non-human kin, which increases the likelihood of success of Papahānaumokuākea in achieving sanctuary goals. On behalf of the Surfrider Foundation's Hawai'i Chapters, we urge you to take action to designate Papahānaumokuākea as a national marine sanctuary under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. This additional layer of protection is important to permanently safeguard resources in the marine portions of the monument. Mahalo for your leadership and for the time, energy, and consideration of such an important issue for the future of our oceans. Sincerely, Lauren Blickley Hawaiʻi Regional Manager Surfrider Foundation LBlickley@surfrider.org 808-280-4736

View on regulations.gov →

Abstract

NOAA proposes to designate marine portions of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument as Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary (proposed sanctuary) to protect nationally significant biological, cultural, and historical resources and to manage this special place as part of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The proposed sanctuary consists of an area of approximately 582,570 square statute miles (439,910 square nautical miles) of Pacific Ocean waters surrounding the Northwest Hawaiian Islands and the submerged lands thereunder. NOAA proposes to establish the terms of designation for the proposed sanctuary and proposes regulations to implement the designation of the national marine sanctuary.

View on regulations.gov →

Co-filers (20)

See everyone who commented →