President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday reinstating commercial fishing in protected Atlantic waters, in a move that reversed Obama-era restriction and which he described as "another BIG WIN for Maine, and all of New England."
"Hard to believe you vote for Democrats who did this to you, but not for 'TRUMP,' who gets you out of this Environmental and Economic Malaise," he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. "VOTE REPUBLICAN FROM NOW ON!" he added.
In the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris won Massachusetts by 61.3 percent, with Trump trailing the then-Vice President with only 36.5 percent of the vote.
The president's proclamation comes amidst a widespread rollback of domestic regulations protecting the environment implemented by the Trump administration, as well as the U.S. withdrawal from international organizations trying to combat climate change.
The move announced on Friday opens up to commercial fishing the only marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which lies 130 miles off the coast of Cape Cod.
The area, which covers an area the size of Connecticut and is home to endangered whales and vulnerable deep-sea corals, among other species, has been protected for a decade after former president Barack Obama designated it as a monument in 2016.
It is not a surprising move from the current president: already in April last year, he opened the the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (which had been protected since 2009) to commercial fishing.
The White House framed Friday's proclamation as a move to "unleash commercial fishing" in the Atlantic and advance the president's America First Fishing Policy, which is trying to boost the country's seafood production by slashing regulations and fighting off "unfair" foreign competition.
"Since Day One, I have taken historic action to END these disastrous policies and, today, I signed a Presidential Proclamation to UNLEASH Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, advancing the America First Fishing Policy," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"I am restoring nearly 5,000 square miles of Fishing access off the Coast of New England, which will revitalize our Fishing Industry, and STRENGTHEN our Booming Economy. Congratulations to all of our Great Fishermen."
All 4,913 square miles which make up the marine monument will be open to commercial fishing. The area is home to at least ten dolphin species and 13 whale species, sea turtles, and sea birds, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the site together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Environmental organizations have expressed worry over the impact that opening up the monument will have on the fragile ecosystems which call it home, while fishing industry groups have cheered the move.
Brad Sewell, the managing director of oceans at the environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement reported by The New York Times: "Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is a truly special place: a living scientific laboratory, a refuge for creatures as varied as cold-water corals and sperm whales. Trump's move to dismantle those protections is unlawful, and we're confident that it won't stand."
Jessica Redfern, of the aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, said in a statement reported by AFP: "This Monument supports amazing species from the seafloor to the sea surface, and we see evidence of that during every aerial survey. Removing protections for Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument puts these species at risk."
Bob Vanasse, the executive director of the industry group Saving Seafood, said in a statement reported by The New York Times: "America's commercial fishermen are among the world's most responsible ocean stewards. Their work is tightly regulated, environmentally conscious and vital to the economies and food security of coastal communities."
Trump wrote on Truth Social: "For far too long, the Radical Left has put Burdensome and Unnecessary Restrictions on EVERYTHING, including our Great American Fishermen. In my First Term, I reversed the prohibitions placed on Commercial Fishing, but Joe Biden, or whoever was using the AUTOPEN, foolishly reinstated them."
He added, addressing New England voters: "Please remember I did this for you, against strong Democrat opposition, and VOTE REPUBLICAN IN THE MIDTERMS!"
In January, a memorandum from the White House explaining why the Trump administration was withdrawing the country from international organizations promoting climate action efforts said: "These withdrawals will end American taxpayer funding and involvement in entities that advance globalist agendas over US priorities."
It added: "Many of these bodies promote radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength. [...] By exiting these entities, President Trump is saving taxpayer money and refocusing resources on America First priorities."
Trump suggested he will reopen the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing in May.