01 • 15 • 2025
Papahānaumokuākea Designated as a National Marine Sanctuary
On January 15, 2025, NOAA released the final rule to designate Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary in Hawaiʻi. The sanctuary designation became effective on March 3, 2025.
Sanctuary designation adds new protections and management tools to augment and strengthen conservation of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The sanctuary does not diminish or replace the existing management measures and protections provided by the Monument. The sanctuary will also support a Native Hawaiian program specialist and a sanctuary advisory council process with Native Hawaiian representation.
Surfrider supported the creation of a Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary through grassroots advocacy and testimony during public meetings. Surfrider believes the sanctuary designation will help ensure the lasting stewardship of outstanding natural resources and cultural heritage of the submerged lands and waters surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Surfrider’s Hawaii Chapters supported the monument designation in 2006 under the Bush administration, as well as the expansion in 2016 under the Obama administration.
NOAA will co-manage the Sanctuary with the State of Hawaiʻi. The sanctuary will also be managed in partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Surfrider supported the creation of a Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary through grassroots advocacy and testimony during public meetings. Surfrider believes the sanctuary designation will help ensure the lasting stewardship of outstanding natural resources and cultural heritage of the submerged lands and waters surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Surfrider’s Hawaii Chapters supported the monument designation in 2006 under the Bush administration, as well as the expansion in 2016 under the Obama administration.
NOAA will co-manage the Sanctuary with the State of Hawaiʻi. The sanctuary will also be managed in partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.