Proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary: FAQs

Q: Would the proposed sanctuary designation change the area's current status as a marine national monument?

A: No, the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary would not change the area's status as a marine national monument. The proposed sanctuary would supplement and complement existing authorities, including the area's current designation as a marine national monument.

Q: Would the proposed national marine sanctuary include all of the existing monument area?

A: The proposed sanctuary designation would only include the marine portions of the existing Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Q: How would the proposed sanctuary provide additional protection?

A: Designation as a national marine sanctuary would strengthen existing protections for the monument through the addition of sanctuary regulations. The National Marine Sanctuaries Act's authorities and regulations would enhance resource protection, provide tools to increase regulatory compliance, ensure enforceability of protections, provide natural resource damage assessment authorities, and provide requirements for interagency consultation. The level of protection within the Monument would not be reduced by national marine sanctuary designation.

Q: Why does this area need additional protection?

A: Designation as a national marine sanctuary would supplement and complement the efforts of the State of Hawaiʻi and other federal agencies to conserve the nationally significant ecosystems and cultural resources of this area. The ecosystems are increasingly under pressure from threats such as marine debris, invasive species, and climate change. National marine sanctuary designation would provide additional protections to safeguard resources in the marine portions of the Monument.

Q: Will sanctuary designation change the co-management structure of the monument?

A:  No. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has been a key partner and co-managing agency in the management of Papahānaumokuākea since the initial designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve in 2000. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will continue to work collaboratively with the Papahānaumokuākea Monument Management Board to conduct, support and promote research, characterization and long term monitoring of marine ecosystems and species, and cultural and maritime heritage resources of Papahānaumokuākea. Sanctuary designation will ensure the full benefits and expertise offered by the National Marine Sanctuary System and staff.

Q: How does National Marine Sanctuary designation enhance management of the monument?

A: With sanctuary designation, NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries would be able to enhance or fill gaps in critical management priorities through the adoption of a sanctuary management plan. A sanctuary management plan would complement the existing monument management plan for Papahānaumokuākea and focus on five kūkulu, or pillars of management, to guide day-to-day sanctuary activities. These kūkulu are resource protection and conservation; research and monitoring; governance and operations; partnerships and constituent engagement; and education, interpretation, and mentoring.

Q: Which EIS boundary alternative is NOAA recommending and why?

A: NOAA's preferred alternative is the Alternative 1 boundary which is coextensive with the marine portions of the Monument. The boundary includes the marine environment surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from the shoreline of the islands and atolls seaward to 200 nautical miles, including all State waters and waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, Midway Atoll and Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuges, and State of Hawaiʻi Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Refuge. This alternative includes all shallow-water coral reef habitats most vulnerable to both human and natural threats, including impacts from marine debris, invasive species, and climate change. As the entirety of Papahānaumokuākea is sacred to Kānaka ʻOiwi, this alternative ensures that values of Native Hawaiian culture are considered.

Q: Will commercial fishing be allowed in the proposed sanctuary?

A: No. Commercial fishing is prohibited in the entirety of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, including the Monument Expansion Area. The commercial fishing prohibition would not be changed by national marine sanctuary designation.

Q. Will sustenance fishing be allowed in the proposed sanctuary?

Sustenance fishing is a type of fishing in which all catch is consumed within Papahānaumokuākea, and that is incidental to a permitted activity. Sustenance fishing is currently the only form of fishing that may be allowed in the original Monument (0 - 50 nm). This will not change under the proposed sanctuary designation. ONMS is proposing to also allow sustenance fishing as a term or condition of a permit in the area of the Monument Expansion Area (50 - 200 nmi).

Q: Aside from sustenance fishing, will other forms of non-commercial fishing be allowed in the proposed sanctuary?

A: In the Monument Expansion Area (50 - 200 nmi), ONMS is proposing that non-commercial fishing is prohibited unless conducted pursuant to a permit authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.  Non-commercial fishing would continue to be prohibited in the area of the original Monument (0-50 nmi).

Q: What is the process for designating a national marine sanctuary?

A: The process to designate a new sanctuary is well established and documented:

1. Public Scoping Process -- Information collection and characterization, including the consideration of public comments received during scoping;
2. Preparation of Draft Documents -- Preparation and release of draft designation documents including a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) that identifies boundary and/or regulatory alternatives, a draft management plan, and a notice of proposed rulemaking to define proposed sanctuary regulations. Draft documents would be used to support consultations with federal, state, or local agencies and other interested parties, as appropriate;
3. Public Comment -- Through public meetings and in writing, allow for public review and comment on the DEIS, draft management plan, and notice of proposed rulemaking;
4. Preparation of Final Documents -- NOAA would make a final decision on whether or not to designate the site as a national marine sanctuary and, if so, prepare the final documents, including a final environmental impact statement, final management plan, and a final rule and regulations, including a response to public comments.
5. The sanctuary designation and regulations would take effect after the end of a review period of 45 days of continuous session of Congress. If the sanctuary is located partially or entirely within state waters, the Governor of the affected state has the opportunity to review and certify to the Secretary of Commerce that the designation of portions of state waters or any of its terms are acceptable or unacceptable.

Q: How will the Native Hawaiian community be involved in sanctuary activities if designated?

A: If designated, the sanctuary will actively engage with the Papahānaumokuākea Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group (CWG), which represents the Native Hawaiian community voice in advising the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as a co-trustee of the Monument. The CWG is composed of Native Hawaiian kūpuna (respected elders), researchers, cultural practitioners, educators, and community members with deep connections and historical ties to Papahānaumokuākea. The proposed sanctuary will have a Native Hawaiian Program Specialist on staff and the communication and engagement team will develop events and outreach materials specifically to involve the Native Hawaiian community across the islands, including products in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. The Sanctuary Advisory Council will also include Native Hawaiian seats.