Statement on Biden-Harris Administration restoring protections for Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

BOSTON, MASS. (Oct. 8, 2021) – The New England Aquarium is reacting to news that President Biden will sign a proclamation restoring protections for Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Vikki Spruill, president and CEO of the New England Aquarium, will be in attendance at the White House ceremony this afternoon and issued the following statement:

“The New England Aquarium applauds the Biden-Harris Administration’s decision to restore full protections for Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. A nearly 5,000 square mile underwater sanctuary that lies 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod, the Monument is home to diverse and vibrant deep-sea ecosystems that include important corals, fish, endangered whales, and other marine mammals. Scientists at the Aquarium provided some of the strong scientific evidence that helped designate this area a national monument in 2016. Our ongoing research and aerial surveys in the Monument continue to illuminate the importance of this area for biodiversity and climate resilience. Restoring the Monument’s protection from harmful human activities, including commercial fishing, supports the health of the ocean, which protects our planet from the growing impacts of climate change. It also helps fulfill the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, a goal shared and supported by the New England Aquarium. The Aquarium thanks the federal government for recognizing the uniqueness of this habitat along with Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.”

**AERIAL SURVEY PHOTOS FROM THE MONUMENT ARE AVAILABLE HERE, WITH CREDIT TO NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM**

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pam Bechtold Snyder, psnyder@neaq.org; 617-686-5068