Location
Key Information
| 2,018 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 2,025 km2 | TOTAL AREA i |
Boundary: ProtectedSeas (Boundary Digitized Using Best Available Data)
2.0
June 2023
Feedback and Data Requests
Purpose
To establish a marine refuge in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for the longterm conservation and protection of the unique coral reef ecosystems and the related marine resources and species, to ensure their conservation and natural character.
Species of Concern: coral
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
It is unlawful for any person:
1. To enter the refuge without a permit.
2. To take for the purpose of sale or sell marine life taken from the refuge.
3. To take marine life in violation of the items in the 'Allowed' section.
4. To set foot on shore, on any emergent land or reef.
5. To engage in any activity, including the anchoring of a vessel that can or does result in damaging or destroying coral.
6. To discharge from a vessel as defined in federal and state law.
7. To engage in any activity that is not authorized.
Allowed
1. Persons may, with a valid permit, enter the refuge to engage in activities that do no harm to the coral reef ecosystem for the following purposes:
a) Scientific or education purposes;
b) Non-extractive purposes undertaken to further the knowledge of resources or which provide for enhanced resources protection or benefit resource management; and
c) Subsistence, traditional and customary practices by Native Hawaiians.
2. Persons may enter pursuant to freedom of navigation, innocent passage, interstate commerce, and activities related to national defense or enforcement, foreign affairs, and in response to emergencies.