SHEET from the White House For Immediate Release Office of the
Press Secretary January 6, 2009 Fact Sheet: Marine Today,
President Bush designated three areas of the Pacific Ocean as
marine national monuments. By designating these areas as
national monuments, the Administration ensures that the marine
environment will receive the highest level of environmental
recognition and conservation. Destruction or extraction of
protected resources within the boundaries of these monuments
will be prohibited, as will commercial fishing in the coral reef
ecosystem areas of the monuments. Scientific and recreational
activities may be permitted consistent with the care and
management of the protected resources of these monuments. For
marine life and seabirds, these places will be sanctuaries to
grow and thrive. - Combined, these designations represent the
largest fully protected area in the world. Under the President's
plan, 195,274* square miles will be conserved. - The Marianas
Trench Marine National Monument consists of