The White House says that President Barack Obama will expand a national monument off the coast of Hawaii, creating the world's largest marine protected area. Obama's proclamation will quadruple in size a monument originally created by President George W. Bush in 2006. The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument will contain some 582, 578 square miles, more than twice the size of Texas. The designation bans commercial fishing and any new mining, as is the case within the monument. Recreational fishing will be allowed through a permit as will be scientific research and the removal of fish and other resources for Native Hawaiian cultural practices.

Obama plans to quadruple Hawaii marine protected area. (2016, September 1). Manila Bulletiin, p. B8.