NOAA wants Big Island input on proposed national marine sanctuary – today

The Pacific Remote Islands Coalition is urging members of the community to engage and support the potential designation of a new national marine sanctuary in the Pacific Remote Islands area through providing public comments.

Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is holding a public meeting in Hilo to gather input on the proposed sanctuary for the Pacific Remote Islands.

Public comments will be accepted through in-person public meetings, online, or by
mail until June 2.

According to the Coalition, the proposed sanctuary designation would:

• Encourages a management structure that includes the voices of Indigenous Pacific Islanders in the decision-making process.
• Advocates for a culturally-appropriate process for renaming the area.
• Expand protections across the entire 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Remote Islands Area.

The public meeting at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center at 76 Kamehameha Avenue is scheduled to run from 5 to 7 p.m.

To attend virtually, click here.