11/07/2006 - When President Bush designated the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as the world's largest marine reserve, he recognized the long-term conservation, cultural, scientific and educational benefits to Hawai'i would dwarf any potential loss of economic activity. The public in Hawai'i also understood this and applauded the President's decision.However, one provision of the monument proclamation has generated some controversy — the closure in 2011 of the bottomfish fishery in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
View on the Honolulu Advertiser Web site the full op-ed written by Jay Nelson, project director.