Defend Federal Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Surfrider is defending Marine National Monuments and National Marine Sanctuaries from federal attacks.
Surfrider is working with partners to defend Marine National Monuments and National Marine Sanctuaries through a national campaign. Federal marine protected areas (MPAs) help protect some of our nation's most outstanding ocean ecosystems. However, the Trump administration and members of congress have moved to weaken these invaluable conservation areas through executive action, energy development, harmful legislation, and reduced agency funding.
The Trump Administration published an Executive Order in April 2025 that directly threatened our nation’s marine national monuments. The Order called for a review of all existing marine national monuments to assess opening them to industrial fishing. The Order purported to strengthen the U.S. fishing industry, but instead will weaken it by increasing the risk of overfishing and fish stock collapse.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) held a public comment period on the proposal that ended October 14, 2025. Surfrider conducted outreach to our supporters and partners and submitted comments to show support for marine monuments to keep these sensitive and treasured ocean places protected!
Despite these strong advocacy efforts, on February 6, 2026, President Trump signed a proclamation reopening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing, removing safeguards for the only highly protected area in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. This action did not go unchallenged. Several conservation groups filed a lawsuit against the administration in May 2026 in response.
The Trump Administration continued its rollbacks across the Pacific, including earlier actions that weakened protections for the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. On June 11, 2026, the administration expanded those rollbacks through a proclamation impacting roughly half a million square miles of critical ocean habitat. The prohibition on commercial fishing in portions of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and Rose Atoll Marine National Monument was removed.
Taken together, these measures have undermined decades of ocean conservation progress advanced under administrations of both parties.
The Trump Administration and Congress are also waging attacks on federal MPAs through funding cuts and staff reductions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other federal agencies. Support for NOAA and other federal agencies is critical to the success of our sanctuaries and monuments, to support effective management, public outreach, scientific monitoring, and enforcement. Congress has also introduced legislation that would weaken MPAs, such as H.R. 8904, which would shift management of fishing in marine national monuments from Antiquities Act-based protections to standard fisheries law, and S. 220/H.R. 521, which would significantly limit Antiquities Act authority. Surfrider is actively opposing these efforts and similar bills to ensure strong federal protections and adequate funding for our sanctuaries and monuments.
Over fifty years ago, the United States enacted the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, a landmark federal law that provides for the creation and management of marine sanctuaries. Since its humble beginnings in 1972, the program has grown into a nationwide network of 18 marine sanctuaries and 2 marine monuments that conserve more than 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters.
Surfrider will continue responding to threats to Marine Monuments and National Marine Sanctuaries, including engaging our supporters in official public comment periods. We also are urging Congress to fully fund National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine Monuments in the FY 2027 congressional appropriations process.
The combined threats of pollution, climate change, coastal development, fishing, energy projects and more are pushing our marine ecosystems to the brink. Our response must include a robust National Marine Sanctuary program to meet the challenges of the 21st century. A federally supported and sufficiently funded marine sanctuary program is an essential piece of conserving our ocean and coasts for the next fifty years and beyond.
Science from around the world shows that highly and fully-protected areas produce stronger conservation outcomes, particularly with respect to biodiversity and ecological functions. Experience also shows that local support from community members is a critical ingredient to the success of protected areas. Accordingly, Surfrider will continue to support NOAA’s efforts to protect marine ecosystems through its management of marine sanctuaries and monuments and positive engagement of communities, stakeholders, tribes and the public.
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