The Southern Shrimp Alliance and 90 co-signatories sent a letter to President Biden to express concerns regarding calls for the administration to establish “fully and highly protected areas” in 30% of the U.S. ocean by 2030, including through marine monuments designated under the Antiquities Act.
The potential designation of marine monuments under the Antiquities Act sets back efforts to advance equity and environmental justice. The action would cost jobs, reduce economic activity, add new inflationary pressures, and reduce trust and transparency in government.
The calls to protect 30% of the US oceans follow recent decisions to restore a commercial fishing prohibition in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument and to join the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which commits the United States to actions that could lead to further prohibitions.
The letter on behalf of workers, communities, and businesses from across the economy and country urges the use of science-based and transparent processes when considering actions to manage the ocean for current and future generations.
Read the full letter here. https://shrimpalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Antiquities-Act-Multigroup-Letter-to-President-Biden.pdf