Biden-Harris Administration Publishes Final Management Plan for Mariana Trench Marine National Monument

Soft corals and tropical fish from the summit of the East Diamante submarine volcano in the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. Credit: NOAA Office of Exploration & Research (OER), 2004 Submarine Ring of Fire exploration

NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands released the final management plan and environmental assessment for the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. The monument was established to protect and conserve unique and pristine habitats, historic objects, and features of high scientific interest.

The plan provides the foundation for long-term collaborative management and community stewardship of the monument. Public and community involvement will be key to achieving the plan's vision and goals over the next 15 years. Development of the plan advances the Biden-Harris administration's America the Beautifulinitiativeto restore, connect, and conserve 30 percent of the nation's lands and waters by 2030.

"The Mariana Trench Marine National Monument has long-standing ancestral and cultural connections to the nearby residents," said Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries Janet Coit. "From the early establishment of the monument, the local community and leaders in the Marianas have shared a desire to be involved with the monument. Their involvement has been important to the development of this management plan, and we are committed to working together to conserve and protect this awe-inspiring place."

This stunningly beautiful jellyfish was seen while exploring the Enigma Seamount at 3,700 meters in the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. Credit: NOAA Office of Exploration & Research (OER), 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas

Located in the Mariana Archipelago east of the Philippines, the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument protects approximately 95,216 square miles of submerged lands and waters. The Mariana Trench is remarkable for its steep walls, distinctive geologic features, and deep ocean life forms. Mariana snailfish, deep-sea jellyfish, giant amphipods, and translucent sea cucumbers have found a home in this harsh environment amid shaggy bacterial mats. The Mariana Arc of Fire National Wildlife Refuge/Volcanic Unit-an arc of undersea volcanoes and thermal vents-supports unusual life forms in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. Here species survive amid hydrothermal vents that produce highly acidic and boiling water. One of the coral reef sites in the Islands Unit of the monument has the highest density of sharks anywhere in the Pacific.

Under the management plan, we will work as a monument management team to:

• Engage partners
• Conserve and protect the marine ecosystem
• Establish stewardship, research, exploration, engagement and education programs that further understanding and connect people to the unique ecosystem and its inhabitants

Shared learning and outreach activities are vital to fostering the public's connection to the monument. Management efforts will focus on providing traditional access and cultural use. They will also focus on developing locally relevant curriculum and educational opportunities about the unique environment of the Mariana Trench-and the sea life protected therein.

"The incredible diversity of life that exists within the remarkably steep and deep ocean environments of the Mariana Trench, its hydrothermal vents and boiling waters makes this Marine National Monument an inspiring area worthy of our reflection and wonderment," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams."The Service and our partners at NOAA Fisheries are grateful for the perspectives, knowledge and collaboration of local and indigenous communities in determining the monument's management, improving our shared understanding and appreciation for its cultural and biological resources."

The final plan establishes long-term guidance to achieve monument goals and objectives, which are derived from federal mandates, public input, and Presidential Proclamation.

Presidential Proclamation 8335specified that monument management plans shall ensure the monument will be administered in accordance with the proclamation and shall provide for:

• Ensuring traditional access by indigenous persons for culturally significant subsistence, cultural and religious uses
• Promoting scientific exploration and research
• Providing public education and outreach programs

Traditional ecological knowledge is gained by centuries of first-hand observation and experience and can augment western scientific data. Traditional ecological knowledge will be part of the decision-making process and ongoing management of the monument.

View the final management plan and environmental assessment

Media contact:
Stefanie Gutierrez, [email protected], (808) 725-5020