The Long Island commercial fishing fleet will regain access to Atlantic waters following a new presidential proclamation that lifts a ban inside the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
The offshore fishing grounds, located southeast of Long Island along the edge of the continental shelf, covers roughly 4,913 square miles of deep-sea canyons and underwater mountains in the Atlantic.
Long Island fishermen, particularly vessels sailing from Montauk, Shinnecock, and other East End harbors, have long argued the waters are part of traditional fishing routes for highly migratory species such as tuna and swordfish.
The monument was created in 2016 under the Antiquities Act, setting aside the area for protection of sensitive marine habitats and geological features. Restrictions on commercial fishing were later eased in 2020, before being reinstated in 2021, when federal officials cited potential harm to the monument’s scientific and historic resources.
The latest proclamation reverses that 2021 decision, concluding that a blanket fishing ban is not necessary to protect the area. It states that commercial fishing, when properly regulated, can coexist with conservation goals because fish stocks and habitats are already governed by extensive federal law.
The proclamation highlights the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which requires science-based management through regional fishery councils that include state representatives and industry stakeholders. It also notes that many species found in the monument range widely throughout the Atlantic and are not unique to the protected area.
Other laws, including the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Clean Water Act, and Oil Pollution Act, remain fully in effect and continue to regulate fishing practices, protect vulnerable species, and address pollution threats.
For Long Island’s maritime economy, the shift could restore opportunities for federally permitted boats, while maintaining catch limits, gear rules, seasonal closures, and habitat safeguards. Supporters say the change balances conservation with economic survival for coastal communities, while critics argue the monument deserves stronger protections, ensuring the Atlantic debate continues offshore.