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Photo: Wayne Levin
Photo: Wayne Levin
Photos: Wayne Levin

Hawai‘i businesses in support of protecting the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

Dear Secretary Zinke and Secretary Ross,

As members of Hawai‘i’s business community, we write to you in strong support of maintaining the current protections for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Many of us demonstrated our support during the designation and expansion of these monuments and wish to express that this support has only strengthened. We the undersigned are all connected to the ocean, whether through our businesses or in our personal lives.

These marine monuments protect some of the planet’s most unique marine life and habitats. Their waters contain thousands of species, many of which are endangered and found nowhere else on earth such as the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, a ghostlike octopus, 4,000-year old deep-sea coral, and foraging habitat for several of the world’s largest remaining colonies of seabird species. The ecosystems also contain hundreds of seamounts, or undersea mountains that are known hotspots of biodiversity with species new to science.

As businesses, we understand that a healthy Pacific marine environment is of primary importance both to us and to our customers. Protecting the resources within these monuments far transcends the value of what can be removed for short-term commercial gain.
We urge you to recognize our continued support for our marine monuments and maintain the current level of protections granted to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.

Please accept this letter as an official public comment for Docket No. DOI-2017-0002.

Sincerely,

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