Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Particularly Sensitive Sea Area

Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, also known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, was expressly created to protect an exceptional array of natural and cultural resources. The extensive coral reefs found in Papahānaumokuākea - truly the rainforests of the sea - are home to over 7,000 marine species, one quarter of which are found only in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Many of the islands and shallow water environments are important habitats for rare species such as the threatened green turtle and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, as well as the 14 million seabirds representing 22 species that breed and nest there. The Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, which provides essential breeding grounds and nesting sites for endangered, threatened, and rare bird species, some found nowhere else on the planet, was designated as part of this monument in 2006.

Species of Concern: Coral

Restrictions

1. Entering the monument is prohibited and thus unlawful, with exceptions.
2. The following activities are prohibited and thus unlawful for any person to conduct or cause to be conducted:
a) Exploring for, developing, or producing oil, gas, or minerals within the monument;
b) Using or attempting to use poisons, electrical charges, or explosives in the collection or harvest of a monument resource;
c) Introducing or otherwise releasing an introduced species from within or into the monument; and
d) Anchoring on or having a vessel anchored on any living or dead coral with an anchor, anchor chain, or anchor rope.
3. Except in emergencies or by the armed forces or pursuant to a valid permit, the following activities are prohibited and thus unlawful for any person to conduct or cause to be conducted within the monument:
(a) Removing, moving, taking, harvesting, possessing, injuring, disturbing, or damaging; or attempting to remove, move, take, harvest, possess, injure, disturb, or damage any living or nonliving monument resource;
b) Drilling into, dredging, or otherwise altering the submerged lands other than by anchoring a vessel; or constructing, placing, or abandoning any structure, material, or other matter on the submerged lands;
c) Anchoring a vessel;
d) Deserting a vessel aground, at anchor, or adrift;
e) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter into Special Preservation Areas or the Midway Atoll Special Management Area except vessel engine cooling water, weather deck runoff, and vessel engine exhaust;
f) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter into the monument, or discharging or depositing any material or other matter outside the monument that subsequently enters the monument and injures any resources of the monument, except fish parts (i.e., chumming material or bait) used in and during authorized fishing operations, or discharges incidental to vessel use such as deck wash, approved marine sanitation device effluent, cooling water, and engine exhaust;
g) Touching coral, living or dead;
h) Possessing fishing gear except when stowed and not available for immediate use during passage without interruption through the monument;
i) Swimming, snorkeling, or closed or open circuit scuba diving within any Special Preservation Area or the Midway Atoll Special Management Area;
j) Attracting any living monument resource;
k)Commercial lobster fishing;
l)Commercial fishing for bottomfish and associated pelagic species.

Allowed

Passing through the monument without interruption is permitted for activities allowed under a permit issued by NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Vessels passing through the monument without interruption are required to notify NOAA and FWS upon entering into and leaving the monument. Individuals wishing to access the monument to conduct certain regulated activities must first apply for and be granted a permit issued by NOAA and FWS to certify compliance with vessel monitoring system requirements, monument regulations and best management practices.