President Biden: Honor Indigenous leaders. Safeguard our future. Fully protect PRI.

Some of the ocean’s last wild, healthy ecosystems are in the Pacific Remote Islands. From vibrant coral reefs to deep-sea species found nowhere else on Earth – the area has long held significance for Native Pacific Islanders’ cross-oceanic migration, voyaging and cultural practice. We have an urgent need and unprecedented opportunity to protect it. 

In the last four years, President Biden has worked to build a strong environmental foundation with historic investments in clean energy and environmental justice. His administration has made record-breaking strides toward the America the Beautiful initiative, with a goal of conserving 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 (known as “30×30”). In his final months in office, President Biden has an unprecedented opportunity to honor Indigenous leaders and establish the world’s largest highly protected marine area with the Pacific Remote Islands. This action would ensure that the Biden Administration’s climate legacy includes achieving the goal of protecting 30% of U.S. waters.. 

President Biden responded to our PRI Coalition’s request for sanctuary designation by initiating the process in early 2023. And while he’s celebrating the start of the PRI sanctuary process in his recent Proclamation on National Wilderness Month and in the White House fact sheet to advance the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, it’s time to follow through on full protection to ensure a true conservation win. 

Amid the climate crisis and growing extractive threats of commercial fishing and deep sea mining, it’s time for decisive action. In this video, we call on President Biden to finish the job and fully protect the natural and cultural heritage of the Pacific Remote Islands (PRI).

Sign our petition to join the thousands of others in speaking up to protect this special place.