Washington, D.C. April 26, 2017 – The following statement was issued by Janis Searles Jones, CEO of Ocean Conservancy, today in reaction to the Executive Order that instructs the Department of the Interior to review national monuments larger than 100,000 acres designated under the Antiquities Act from 1996 onwards:

“The Executive Order to review national monuments designated through the Antiquities Act is deeply unsettling. It sets in motion an attempt to strip America of some of our most cherished assets—special places on land and in the sea that inspire awe, wonder and appreciation for nature and culture.

“Marine national monuments like Papahānaumokuākea and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts serve to not only conserve some of the world’s most unique marine ecosystems, they also create areas of ocean resilience in the face of global climate change and protect unique cultural sites.

“The first marine national monument was established by President George W. Bush in 2006 with Papahānaumokuākea. His legacy went on to include the designation of three other areas of the Pacific Ocean—Marianas Trench, Pacific Remote Islands and Rose Atoll—as marine national monuments in 2009.

“Protecting and preserving important natural, historical and cultural sites should be a bipartisan priority. Americans care deeply about public lands and water. An overwhelming 90% of voters supported Presidential proposals to protect some public lands and waters as parks, wildlife refuges and wilderness according to a 2014 Hart Research poll.

“Ocean Conservancy urges Secretary Ryan Zinke and the Trump administration to follow in the footsteps of past administrations, both Republicans and Democrats and continue to protect America’s incredible natural and cultural heritage.”

###

Janis Searles Jones is available for interviews upon request.

Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.