The Ocean Conservancy reported today:"Today, President George W. Bush declared the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a national monument, making it the largest marine reserve on the planet. The action will protect one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world, one that is home to sharks, whales, extensive coral reefs and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. The marine reserve would be free from commercial and extractive activities, allowing the entire marine ecosystem to continue to thrive for future generations." Read the full press release.
"The Ocean Conservancy released a scientific report on October 24, 2005, showing that even the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are not immune from the dangers of overfishing. The report — based on government data — reveals that some key fish populations in the area are in a steady decline due to fishing pressure.
Most of us have never been to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, an archipelago of islands and atolls located northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands that stretch for more than one thousand miles. There are no resorts, no restaurants, and no surfing beaches.
And that’s the point. This area is so remote that we humans have hardly made a mark on it. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ocean ecosystem is home to extensive and massive reef colonies and thousands of marine species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. It stands apart as an oceanic gem at a time in which large fish are disappearing from the oceans and ecosystems around the world are in decline.
Fewer than a dozen commercial fishing boats currently make the long journey to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands’ waters. But, as our report illustrates, the ecosystem cannot remain healthy if any commercial fishing continues in the region.
On October 25, 2005, Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher of NOAA rejected an effort by WESPAC* to allow ecologically damaging fishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. By doing so, he has helped to preserve the natural character of this truly magnificent, globally important ecological treasure."
For more information on the role of The Ocean Conservancy in creating the chance for this positive action on behalf of one of the few remaining natural treasures on Earth: http://www.oceanconservancy.org
In his seminal work, the Diversity of Life, Edward O. Wilson (long regarded as one of the preeminent biologists living today) made this statement about the role of government in saving the last great reserves of biodiversity on this planet:
"The government's moral responsibility in the conservation of biodiversity is similar to that in public health and military defense. The preservation of species across generations is beyond the capactiy of individuals or even powerful private institutions. Insofar as biodiversity is deemed an irreplaceable public resource, its protection should be bound into the legal canon." (pg 342)
The role of The Ocean Conservancy was a critical piece in accomplishing this marvelous act. We need much more of this kind of cooperative action - and fast!
To learn more about hot spots of biodiversity that need to be protected go to:
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots
Onward...and upward...!
Susan
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