Following on a successful project that supported the expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument announced in 2015, Oceans 5 supported an effort to continue this work to protect additional sites in U.S. waters.
On August 25, 2016, President Barack Obama announced the expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, making it the largest strongly-protected marine reserve anywhere on the planet. And on September 16, 2016, he established the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument roughly 240 kilometers off the coast of Cape Cod, the first protected area of its kind anywhere in the waters of the continental United States. The expansion and designation of these three sites means President Obama protected over 2.1 million square kilometers of ocean space
Oceans 5 supported the Center for American Progress to help organize a coalition of ocean non-governmental organizations to streamline advocacy and support carefully orchestrated campaigns around key areas in need of protection. This group, known as the National Ocean Protection Coalition, was comprised of more than 30 organizations operating at the national and regional levels, and coordinated effort with local businesses, academic institutions, faith-based groups, fishermen, and environmental organizations to generate support for monument designations and expansions.
