Photo: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research Deep Connections 2019
September 15, 2023 (BOSTON, MA) – The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument turns seven years old today. Designated by President Obama in 2016, it is the first marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s known for an abundance of rare wildlife. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response to today’s anniversary.
“With our ocean in peril from the climate crisis, protected areas like the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts are more important than ever,” said Jen Felt, Ocean Campaign Director at CLF. “The monument is a biological hotspot that provides a refuge for a remarkable diversity of wildlife and has enormous scientific value. This natural treasure, provides resilience, refuge, and hope in a rapidly warming ocean, and it’s time to protect more areas just like it.”
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts designation as a marine national monument provides strong and permanent protection for its remarkable ecosystem. The Monument is located 130 miles off Cape Cod. Free from industrial threats, a rich diversity of ocean wildlife – from vibrant deep-sea coral and dense schools of fish to pods of dolphins, porpoises, and whales – thrive within its boundaries.
Federal officials just released a draft management plan for the Monument, and the public is able to offer comments here until the end of October.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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