The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are seeking public input to guide the future management of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
Located 130 miles east-southeast off the coast of Cape Cod, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation in 2016 to protect and conserve its unique and pristine habitats, historic objects, and features of high scientific interest for current and future generations of Americans. As the first marine monument in the Atlantic, it is renowned for its rich and unique biodiversity, including deep-sea coral communities and concentrations of marine wildlife.
The public’s engagement will help guide the creation of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Joint Management Plan—a long-term vision and framework to provide proper care for the Monument’s ecosystem, marine life, and natural and historical resources, as well as set priorities and goals for management in the future.
The Management Plan will consider the Monument’s potential for research, exploration, conservation, learning, engagement, and more. We invite the public to share their ideas and suggestions to help set the Monument’s long-term vision and guide stewardship priorities.
Public engagement sessions are as follows:
In-Person
Mystic Aquarium- Tuesday, December 6, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.- 55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355
New England Aquarium- Monday, December 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
Virtual
Friday, December 9 at 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Monday, December 19 at 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Registration for Public Engagement Sessions can be found here: Registration: Public Engagement Sessions-Monument Management Plan
Comments can also be submitted via e-mail or mail. This is an opportunity to bring forward innovative ideas on how to care for the Monument so that its wonders may be experienced for generations to come.
To ensure your ideas and comments are taken into consideration, please submit them by January 31, 2023.
All written comments or requests for more information can be submitted to:
E-mail: ncsmnm_planning@fws.gov
U.S. Mail:
Brittany Petersen, Marine Monument Superintendent,
USFWS, 300 Westgate Center Drive,
Hadley, MA 01035
To stay up to date on the Monument Management planning process, visit the Marine Monument Planning Page or sign up for Monument Management Plan updates.
Learn more about the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument: https://www.fws.gov/national-monument/northeast-canyons-and-seamounts-marine
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