Commentary: Taking on Trump to protect the Atlantic’s only marine national monument

MAINE MORNING STAR • June 12, 2026

The Trump administration has unlawfully opened up the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. They don’t have the authority to do this. That hasn’t stopped them – so Conservation Law Foundation and our partners will. We just filed a lawsuit with the Center for Biological Diversity, Natural Resources Defense Council, and whale watch naturalist Zack Klyver to block this reckless attack on the jewel of the Atlantic Ocean. As a marine scientist who has studied New England’s canyon ecosystems, I know how incredible this place is. ~ Dr. Gareth Lawson, Senior Scientist, Conservation Law Foundation Ocean Program