February 9, 2026 — President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Friday lifting commercial fishing restrictions in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, reopening waters off the coast of New England and drawing mixed reactions from Mainers.
The monument, located off the coast of New York, spans nearly 5,000 square miles of deep-sea canyons, volcanic mountains, and coral reefs. It was first protected under President Barack Obama, reopened to fishing during Trump’s first term, and later re-protected by President Joe Biden.