What We Do
The Mariana Arc of Fire National Wildlife Refuge contains unique geological features found nowhere else in the world, including the largest active mud volcanoes, vents expelling almost pure liquid carbon dioxide, a pool of liquid sulfur, and one of only a few places in the world where photosynthetic and chemosynthetic communities of life coexist.
The purposes for which the Mariana Trench National Wildlife Refuge was established is to preserve and protect the deepest known habitats in the global ocean; to maintain the natural biological diversity within the refuge; provide for the conservation, protection, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, plants, and other objects of scientific interest associated with the submerged lands of the refuge; and provide opportunities for national and international refuge-related scientific exploration and research and for the sharing of resulting knowledge.
Presidential Proclamation 8335 established the monument in January 2009 and assigned management responsibility to the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce. The Interior Secretary placed the Mariana Trench and Volcanic Units within the National Wildlife Refuge System, and delegated his management responsibility to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has primary management responsibility for fishery related activities in the waters of the Islands Unit.
Every national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill another special purpose. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.
Management and Conservation
The 18 submerged volcanic features along the Mariana Ridge and their surrounding submerged lands within a circle with a 1 nautical mile radius were designated as the volcanic unit/Arc of Fire Refuge of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument on January 6, 2009, through Presidential Proclamation 8335. These submerged lands are managed as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System in accordance with Secretary’s Order 3284, which created the refuge on January 16, 2009. All of these features are within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding the Mariana Islands.
Programs for monitoring and enforcement necessary to ensure that scientific exploration and research, tourism, and recreational and commercial activities do not degrade the Refuge's coral reef ecosystem or related marine resources or species or diminish the Refuge's natural character.
Our Projects and Research
The purposes for which the Mariana Arc of Fire National Wildlife Refuge was established is to preserve and protect the deepest known habitats in the global ocean; to maintain the natural biological diversity within the refuge; provide for the conservation, protection, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, plants, and other objects of scientific interest associated with the submerged lands of the refuge; and provide opportunities for national and international refuge-related scientific exploration and research and for the sharing of resulting knowledge.
Presidential Proclamation 8335 established the monument in January 2009 and assigned management responsibility to the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce. The Interior Secretary placed the Mariana Trench and Volcanic Units within the National Wildlife Refuge System, and delegated his management responsibility to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has primary management responsibility for fishery related activities in the waters of the Islands Unit.
Every national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill another special purpose. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.
Law Enforcement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officers have a wide variety of duties and responsibilities. Officers help visitors understand and obey wildlife protection laws. They work closely with state and local government offices to enforce federal, state and refuge hunting regulations that protect migratory birds and other game species from illegal take and preserve legitimate hunting opportunities. Some other duties include patrolling closed areas or Wilderness areas, maintaining relationships with neighboring landowners, maintaining refuge boundaries and participating in public events related to refuge issues.
Law enforcement issues should be referred to the deputy refuge manager or refuge manager.
You may also report violations to:
Division of Refuge Law Enforcement
Pacific Islands Zone
60 Nowelo St. #100
Hilo, HI 96720
Mobile: (808) 798-8709
Office: (808) 443-2300
Laws and Regulations
USFWS will permit activities in the Trench Unit/Refuge and Volcanic Unit/Arc of Fire Refuge with Special Use Permits. NOAA Fisheries will issue Monument fishing permits. CNMI will authorize access to Maug, Farallon de Pajaros, and Asuncion islands.