Bush to Create Largest Marine Sanctuary

[tygger]

Bush to Create Largest Marine Sanctuary

 

By JOHN HEILPRIN

The Associated Press

Thursday, June 15, 2006; 12:37 AM

 

WASHINGTON -- The world's largest protected marine area is being created around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, an archipelago 1,400 miles long and 100 miles wide that is home to rare marine mammals, fishes and birds.

 

President Bush is to announce on Thursday his decision to create the nation's newest national monument from the vast chain of largely uninhabited islands, atolls, coral reef colonies and seamounts.

 

 

James Stoehr at Farragut North. Metro does not allow buskers in stations. (Michael Williamson -- The Washington Post)

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In Today's A Section

 

[jwildman]

Excellent news

 

Bush to Create Largest Marine Sanctuary

 

By JOHN HEILPRIN

The Associated Press

Thursday, June 15, 2006; 12:37 AM

 

WASHINGTON -- The world's largest protected marine area is being created around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, an archipelago 1,400 miles long and 100 miles wide that is home to rare marine mammals, fishes and birds.

 

President Bush is to announce on Thursday his decision to create the nation's newest national monument from the vast chain of largely uninhabited islands, atolls, coral reef colonies and seamounts.

 

 

James Stoehr at Farragut North. Metro does not allow buskers in stations. (Michael Williamson -- The Washington Post)

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[HowardofNOVA]

Another feather in Dubyas cap, Shame they won't still allow Sport Fishing though! Will certainly hurt the local economies!

[martin]

One of maybe two things Pres. Bush has done on the positive side. What will this mean for ornimental fish?

[GaryL]

i think its positive. but sounds like damage control.

 

GaryL: <-------skeptical

[Guest Larry-T]

NPR had an in-depth report on this yesterday.

 

It's interesting how long this takes. Bruce Babbit proposed this to Bill Clinton in 1999, but the commercial fishing interests and some politicians in Hawaii threw a fit, so he compromised on making it a marine sanctuary first with an eye toward full protection later on. The career folks at NOAA and Interior have been hoping this would happen for the past 7 years. Finally, the Governor of Hawaii came up with a deal that involves a payout to the fishing interests (call it compensation, bribery, or extortion) and everyone is happy.