2 months ago
1 of 2 | The Papahānaumokuākea area is location to aggregate endangered species, including nan Hawaiian monk seal and greenish oversea turtles. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Feb. 29 (UPI) -- The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has projected a caller nationalist marine sanctuary adjacent nan Hawaiian Islands.
"The projected Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary would supplement and complement existing authorities, including nan area's nickname arsenic a marine nationalist monument," nan NOAA said successful a press release Thursday.
The Papahānaumokuākea area is location to aggregate endangered species, including nan Hawaiian monk seal and greenish oversea turtles.
NOAA officials opportunity nan task will incorporated autochthonal Hawaiian expertise.
"NOAA has worked for decades pinch partners to incorporates autochthonal Hawaiian heritage, knowledge and values into co-management of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument," said NOAA National Ocean Service Assistant Administrator Nicole LeBoeuf.
As pinch galore projects, nan NOAA has asked nan nationalist to remark connected nan draught proposal, and nan nationalist tin measurement successful connected this task up until May 7.
"After NOAA receives written and oral nationalist comments, it will reside and responded to those comments arsenic it determines if last nickname of nan projected sanctuary is warranted and which NOAA programme and guidance actions are necessary," nan NOAA said.
The projected sanctuary would span astir 582,250 quadrate miles and incorporated respective reefs and atolls to nan westbound of Hawaii.
The NOAA says nan projected sanctuary would augment existing protections.
"Sanctuary guidance would supplement and complement, alternatively than supplant, nan existing co-management authorities of Papahānaumokuākea," nan NOAA said successful its proposal.
