President designates marine national monument off New England
Having just signed a proclamation creating the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine’s north woods, President Barack Obama is on a roll to preserve even more areas, this time establishing on Thursday the first national marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean.
The almost 5,000 square miles of undersea canyons and mountains will be preserved under a ban on commercial fishing, mining and drilling. However, there will be a seven-year exception for the lobster and crab industries.
The designated area is off Cape Cod near the rich fishing area of Georges Bank, which has drawn some complaints from fishermen concerned about their livelihood, according to the AP.
Marine monuments and national marine sanctuaries are both protected areas, with sanctuaries designated by NOAA or Congress while the president proclaims national monuments.
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