On April 17, 2025, President Trump announced a proclamation that allows managed commercial fishing within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM).

Previously, commercial fishing was prohibited in this area to protect marine biodiversity. However, the new proclamation acknowledges that properly regulated fishing would not threaten the scientific and historic objects protected by the monument.

The changes made by the proclamation will enable American fishing fleets to access nearly half of the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific, which they had lost due to earlier restrictions. The administration asserts that the region’s fish populations are effectively managed by existing federal laws, such as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Additionally, the proclamation outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior in managing this fishing activity while ensuring alignment with marine conservation efforts. It emphasizes a commitment to maintaining marine ecosystems while also supporting the economic needs of U.S. fishermen and their communities.

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