The Monuments include the world’s largest fully protected marine area, tropical oases, and the deepest trenches on the planet. They represent some of the last frontiers and havens for wildlife in the world, and comprise the most widespread collection of coral reef, seabird, seamount, and shorebird protected areas under a single nation's jurisdiction. The Monuments encompass the best habitat for 25 threatened and endangered species, more than 7,000 marine species including 28 million seabirds, over 30 species of marine mammals, 200 stony coral species and thousands of square miles of coral reefs.

Over 80% of Monuments have yet to be explored. Scientists find new species and habitat on each expedition, and we are still learning how much these Monuments influence the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the climate of our entire planet.

Management and partnership responsibilities for the Monuments are assigned to the Department of the Interior and delegated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) based on applicable legal authority of the agency. In filling this responsibility, the Service works in collaboration with our primary partner, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other governmental and non-governmental partners. The Service has been involved with conservation of marine areas longer than any other government agency. The Monuments provide the Service an unprecedented opportunity for wildlife conservation and scientific exploration on our planet’s last frontiers, and to preserve and protect some of the most pristine habitat on the planet while serving as a conservation laboratory for our agency and collaborating agencies and partners.

A green sea turtle swims along the bottom of the reef.
The first and only mixed (natural and cultural) World Heritage Site in the United States, it includes Midway Atoll and Hawaiian Islands national wildlife refuges, plus the Battle of Midway National Memorial and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve. The monument is home to...
Two white terns fly forwards. The ocean with waves crashing in the back are behind them.
Welcome to the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, formerly known as the Pacific Remote Island Marine National Monument! The Monument encompasses approximately 490,000 square miles of open ocean, coral reef, and island habitats, making the total area of the Monument nearly five...
A diver explores the reefs of Rose Atoll. They have pink fins on with a blue scuba tank. They are holding a camera. The reef is beige and jagged.
Welcome to Rose Atoll Marine National Monument! Established on January 6, 2009, by President George W. Bush, Presidential Proclamation 8337 gave the secretary of the interior management responsibility for the monument in consultation with the secretary of commerce. This prohibits commercial...
Corals and fish at Marianas Trench Marine National Monument
Located in the Mariana Archipelago east of the Philippines, the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument protects approximately 95,216 square miles of submerged lands and waters. The Mariana Trench is the deepest place on Earth, deeper than the height of Mount Everest above sea level. It is five...
Photo of man in blue and white Hawaiian shirt with palm frond in the background.
Area Supervisor, Pacific Islands Refuges and Monuments Office
National Wildlife Refuge System,
Pacific Region
Area
HI
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
American Samoa
Honolulu,HI