Please join other scientists in asking President Obama to expand the Papahanaumokakea Marine National Monument by becoming a signatory to the letter below.  If you would like updates on the progress of the effort, or to find out how else you can help, please add your email at the end.


Dear President Obama,

The effects of climate change are having devastating impacts on our ocean resources, and are only expected to worsen in coming years. We are presently experiencing the most extensive period of coral bleaching on record, with unprecedented levels of losses over time and space.  The expansion of the Western Pacific Warming Pool is already affecting the distribution of pelagic fishes away from this area.  The geographical location of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, encompassing some of the northern most coral reefs in the world and far to the north and east of the Warming Pool heightens the value of this area as a refuge and center for supporting resilience to climate change impacts.

Our oceans and those who depend on them for their ecological, economic and cultural benefits are threatened by unprecedented levels of degradation and losses tied to human-induced stress and exploitation. Pollution, overfishing and the combined effects of ocean warming and acidification tied to climate change are negatively affecting our oceans and the living resources within.  Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) are a proven tool to enhance populations of fishes, marine invertebrates, turtles, marine mammals and sea birds. Strongly protected areas have been shown to be more resilient to impacts of climate change compared to unprotected areas. Due to the ever-increasing human footprint, the only refuges left in the world are those we choose to establish and enforce.  

The ideal MPA would contain a diversity of habitats and species of bio-cultural importance, be large, relatively isolated, is well connected by ocean currents to collect incoming larvae, juvenile and adult organisms, and serve as a source of sea life for other locations.  It should be protected from resource exploitation, noise, pollution and be distant from areas experiencing substantial warming.  The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) is such a place, with a unique group of species and among the highest levels of endemism, supporting species found nowhere else in the world.  The coral reefs within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are some of the northernmost in the world and lie within a temperate zone. They are viewed as among those most likely to survive alarming trends in ocean warming as a result of climate change.  The deep seafloor in this region is home to the oldest living animals on earth, Golden Corals that live to be over 4,000 years old.  Fish and larvae travel great distances and are not constrained by lines on a map.  Establishment of marine protected areas that safeguard our marine resources is aan intergenerational responsibility that we owe to future generations. By expanding the existing protections from 50 NM to 200 NM, the “principal” in our children’s account of marine resources will be substantially enhanced, as will be the amount of “interest” that can be drawn sustainably into the future.  

There is a growing consensus among marine scientists that 30% of the oceans be set aside for adequate protection against human exploitation, yet only two percent presently benefits from full protection.  Expanding the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument from the current 50-mile boundary to the full 200-mile EEZ will be a substantial step in the right direction, creating the largest reserve in the world.  This decision is scientifically supported and provides substantial hope of leaving a sound legacy of ocean resources and benefits for future generations.  We are concerned that there if not there, where, and if not now, when?  There are few, if any, such opportunities remaining to establish strongly protected areas such as Papahānaumokuākea.  We strongly encourage President Obama to make a brave, sound, and responsible choice by providing expanded protection for this unique and important Monument.

The international coral reef science community is unified in our support to expand the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) boundary from 50 nautical miles to the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. We urge President Obama to use his executive authority to expand PMNM, and leave a lasting legacy of marine resources for future generations.

Sincerely,

Robert Richmond
Ruth Gates
Doug McCauley
Rashid Sumaila
Mark Hixon
Rob Dunbar
Richard Pyle
Bob Steneck
Larry Crowder
Peter Mumby
Terry Hughes
Steve Palumbi
Juan Carlos Castilla

If you have any issues adding your name, please email Angelo Villagomez at avillagomez@pewtrusts.org