Local environmentalists are concerned by a federal proposal to allow commercial fishing within the boundaries of a designated marine monument off the coast of Cape Cod.
In a recently leaked document, U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke recommended that commercial fishing be permitted in the area again.
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument was designated a year ago by the Obama Administration, and commercial fishing was banned within its boundaries.
Kelsey Lamp, an Oceans Fellow with the advocacy group Environment America, said that by prohibiting commercial fishing the monument serves as an entanglement-free zone for marine mammals.
“We will not see in this area whales or dolphins or sea turtles caught up in nets or traps or lines,” Lamp explained, “so that will be a benefit for any endangered species in that area.”
The federally-supported New England Fishery Management Council, which regulated the area before its designation, said they agree with Interior Secretary Zinke’s recommendation that commercial fishing should be permitted. Spokeswoman Janice Plante said the council should be the agency to regulate it because their decision-making process is very transparent.
“Our meetings are conducted in an open and transparent way, the public is invited to sit in in our discussions, our full council meetings are broadcast via webinar, we have public comment period,” Plante said.
Zinke’s draft is under review by the Trump Administration.
