Western Pacific council welcomes reduction in size of Obama's Pacific MPA to accomodate fisheries
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Radio New Zealand] - September 26, 2014 -
The US President has amended his Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to accommodate economically vital fishing industries for Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific Islands.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, who led the charge opposing the original plan, has welcomed the move. It says it's pleased Mr Obama considered the economic and cultural concerns of American citizens, particularly in Hawaii and American Samoa, which would have been most affected by the expansion.
A senior scientist with the Council, Paul Dalzell, says he is pleased the President listened to what people had to say.
"They've actually paid attention that we do regard these fishing grounds as being potentially very valuable and that their loss would incur harm on our long line and purse-seine fisheries.
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