Mariana Trench National Wildlife Refuge

The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge. 

Monument Management Plan 

A multi-year, multi-agency planning process has begun to develop a Monument Management Plan (MMP) for the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. As stated in Presidential Proclamation 8335, the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce are required to complete an MMP to guide the management of the monument’s resources.    

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are working together in the development of the MMP, and in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. 

Mariana Trench Marine National Monument Draft Monument Management Plan and Environmental Assessment 

The draft Monument Management Plan is the proposed road map for protecting and connecting with the Monument and learning about its marine resources and geologic features. It details a series of management activities that are captured in 11 action plans to meet the six Monument management goals. 

NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the CNMI Government, prepared the draft Monument Management Plan. They received significant input from the Mariana Trench Monument Advisory Council. Public comments received during the 2012 public scoping meetings held in the CNMI and Guam helped shape the plan.  

The plan defines agency management roles and responsibilities and lays out the goals, objectives, and proposed management activities for the next 15 years. It includes an environmental assessment to evaluate the potential impacts of implementing the proposed management actions. 

The Marianas Trench Marine National Draft Management Plan and Environmental Assessment is currently under revision following  public review and comment.  See pertaining documents below.

Image Details

Draft Monument Management Plan and Environmental Assessment - Documents, Public Information Meetings and Questions and Answers Files

NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) hosted four virtual meetings in June 2021 to provide community-focused opportunities for anyone interested in learning more about the draft management plan for the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

The documents below are available for download and include: Draft Monument Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (Full Document), Planning Update 5 (February 2021), Virtual Public Questions and Answers Summary