Location
Key Information
| 2,291 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 2,294 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
Johnston Atoll, one of the most isolated atolls in the world, is located in the central Pacific Ocean, between the Hawaiian Islands and the Line Islands. Slightly more than 300 species of fish have been recorded from the reefs and nearshore waters of Johnston Atoll. Three species of marine animals, protected under the Endangered Species Act, the green turtle, the Hawaiian monk seal, and the humpback whale can be spotted at the Refuge.
Species of Concern: Corals (Scleractinia)
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
1. Commercial fishing and public uses are prohibited.
2. Fishing is prohibited landward of the 50 fathom curve.
3. 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.
4. Fishing for PRIA bottomfish MUS with bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets is prohibited. Possession of a bottom trawl and bottom set gillnet by any vessel having a permit or otherwise established to be fishing for PRIA bottomfish MUS in the PRIA fishery management area is prohibited.
5. The possession or use of any poisons, explosives, or intoxicating substances for the purpose of harvesting PRIA bottomfish is prohibited.
Allowed
Recreational fishing may be permitted, subject to federal law.