Clinton Declares Fragile Hawaiian Coral Reef A Reserve

A diverse coalition of Native Hawaiian fishermen, cultural practitioners and Hawaii-based environmentalists, including Environmental Defense and KAHEA, the Hawaiian Environmental Alliance, today applauded President Clinton's bold plan to protect the fragile Northwest Hawaiian Islands by declaring the area a Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve.

"The Northwest Hawaiian Islands are a unique world treasure," said KAHEA Director, Cha Smith. "We welcome the President's initiative and urge him to provide the strongest possible protection for this vulnerable ecosystem. We look forward to working cooperatively with state and federal agencies in protecting these islands. KAHEA will encourage broad public involvement in creating a plan to manage this reserve."

"While we are disappointed that the President did not declare the area a national monument, we are pleased to see the President considering clear restrictions on a range of potentially damaging activities throughout the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, while providing for Native Hawaiian cultural access and allowing the current bottomfish fishery to continue," said Environmental Defense scientist Stephanie Fried. "This is a good beginning, but we need to be sure the President's plan will actually provide strong protection for this fragile region."

The Northwest Hawaiian Islands stretch for 1,200 miles north of Kaua'i and are home to precious coral reefs, endangered monk seals, sea turtles, and hundreds of species of nesting birds. "These Islands provide a critical role as a pu'uhonua (protected area) for species that populate the main Islands," said Louis "Buzzy" Agard, who fished in the area during the 1940s and '50s. "This is the last safe haven for monk seals and sea turtles." If the Northwest Hawaiian Islands breeding grounds for turtles are not adequately protected, the lower inhabited Islands' $600 million marine tourism industry will feel the impact.