Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument
| Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Area | 4,913 square miles (12,720 km2) |
| Created | September 15, 2016 |
| Governing body | U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Commerce |
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a marine national monument of the United States off the coast of New England, on the edge of Georges Bank. It was created by President Barack Obama on September 15, 2016. It is the first U.S. national marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean.
President Barack Obama designated the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (NCSMNM) on September 21, 2016, using the Antiquities Act of 1906. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is the first and only Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean. It was created in response to citizens requesting for area in the Northeast Atlantic to be protected, due to its importance as a biodiversity hotspot, habitat for numerous rare and endangered species, and a valuable scientific and historical site.
According to President Barack Obama in the Federal Register, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is the smallest area feasible to provide necessary management; designating a smaller zone would lead to an inaccurate interpretation and protection of biodiversity within the fragile area. The designation of the Marine National Monument occurred after numerous meetings and deliberations with stakeholders including conservationists, community members, fishermen, and local businesses; administrative officials gathered social, economic, and environmental data to inform the creation of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
Residing at depths of ~4,000 meters, deep sea corals and other foundational species are highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances such as bottom trawling and mining extractions. The objective of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is to maintain biodiversity for research, while encouraging and providing support to fisheries to become more efficient, resilient, and sustainable. Within three years, following the creation of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will administer a management plan for the area, adapting to requests and changes. Stakeholders will continue to be engaged throughout the process through meetings with administrators.
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