Location
Key Information
| 1,709 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 1,711 km2 | TOTAL AREA i |
- Commercial marine life removal is prohibited
- Both commercial and recreational marine life removal are heavily restricted
- Recreational marine life removal is prohibited, and commercial marine life removal is restricted
Boundary: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Unmodified)
2.0
May 2024
Feedback and Data Requests
Purpose
The refuge is a managed as a highly-restricted marine protected area. The low reef island is the crest of an ancient coral reef cap and massive underlying volcano. Beyond the shallow fringing reef and terrace, the slopes of the extinct volcano drop off sharply to the deep floor of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Green turtles and Hawksbill turtles are found foraging on the reef around Howland Island. Also, Howland Island is home to large numbers of the strawberry hermit crab.
Species of Concern: Multiple
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
Commercial fishing is prohibited. Fishing is prohibited landward of the 50 fathom curve. PRIA coral reef ecosystem MUS may not be taken by means of spearfishing with SCUBA at night (from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) in the EEZ.
Allowed
1. Recreational fishing may be permitted, subject to federal law.
2. If fishing is permitted, coral reef ecosystem MUS may be taken only with the following allowable gear and methods: (1) Hand harvest; (2) Spear; (3) Slurp gun; (4) Hand net/dip net; (5) Hoop net for Kona crab; (6) Throw net;(7) Barrier net; (8) Surround/purse net that is attended at all times; (9) Hook-and-line (includes handline (powered or not), rod-and-reel, and trolling); (10) Crab and fish traps with vessel ID number affixed; and (11) Remote-operating vehicles/submersibles.