NOAA has released for public comment the draft designation documents for the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. This follows a thorough analysis and evaluation of feedback from the public, stakeholders, Native Hawaiian communities, scientists, and federal and state agencies.

The proposed sanctuary would include marine portions of the existing Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

The proposed sanctuary is a place of unique environmental resources that provide large-scale ecosystem services for the region and the world. The marine habitat includes several interconnected ecosystems, including coral islands surrounded by shallow reefs (down to 100 ft.); low-light mesophotic reefs (100 to 490 ft.) with extensive algal beds; open-ocean (pelagic) waters connected to the greater North Pacific Ocean; deepwater habitats, such as abyssal plains 16,400 ft. below sea level; and deep reef habitat characterized by seamounts, banks and shoals.

NOAA will accept public comments on the proposal from March 1 to May 7, 2024.

Learn more here.