Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Management Plan

Deep Sea Corals

In June 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and NOAA Fisheries released the final management plan and environmental assessment for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

The monument was established to protect and conserve unique and pristine habitats, historic objects and features of high scientific interest within its borders. 

The plan provides the foundation for long-term collaborative management and community stewardship of the monument, according to NOAA Fisheries.

Under the management plan, USFWS and NOAA Fisheries will work as a monument management team to engage partners, conserve and protect the marine ecosystem, and establish stewardship, research, exploration, engagement and education programs that further understanding and connect people to the unique ecosystem and its inhabitants. 

The final plan establishes long-term guidance to achieve monument goals and objectives, which are derived from the Presidential Proclamations, federal mandates and public input.

USFWS and NOAA Fisheries selected the preferred alternative (Alternative 2), which adopts the management plan and a permitting system that leverages the existing permitting programs of the joint management agencies.

The final management plan was prepared with input from public comments received during the 45-day public comment period from September 12 to October 26, 2023, including six public meetings held in-person and virtually.

The final management plan and environmental assessment can be found on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument website.

Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Facts:

On September 15, 2016, President Barack Obama established the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument by Presidential Proclamation 9496 (81 FR 65159), under the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906.

The Monument is located about 130 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and is approximately the size of Connecticut (4,913 square miles).

The Monument includes the waters and submerged lands within two Units – a Submarine Canyons Unit and a Seamounts Unit.

The Monument protects fragile and largely pristine deep-sea environments. The nutrient-rich monument is considered to be one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

The area includes a landscape of ancient volcanoes and deep canyons that supports deep-sea corals, an abundance of phytoplankton, and an array of seabirds, fish, squid and shrimp.

Marine life in the area provide a vital food source for whales, giant manta rays, leatherback sea turtles, and other marine creatures.

It is the first and only marine national Monument in the Atlantic Ocean.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and NOAA  jointly manage the Monument.

A marine national monument is an ocean area designated by a presidential proclamation under the Antiquities.

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