These are some of the last pristine ocean ecosystems. Now, they're losing protections

NPR | By Lauren Sommer,

Claire Harbage, Brent Jones, Ryan Kellman

Published August 3, 2026 at 6:53 PM EDT

The largest conservation areas in the U.S. are in the Pacific Ocean, where tiny islands are epicenters of biodiversity. The Trump administration is now opening their waters to commercial fishing, sparking a battle over some of the country's most pristine ecosystems.

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These are some of the last pristine ocean ecosystems. Now, they're losing protections

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