Biden Administration’s Ocean Conservation Plan Criticized for Excluding Indigenous Voices

The proposed expansion aims to increase the protected area from nearly 500,000 square miles to about 770,000 square miles. This move would significantly advance the Biden administration’s ambitious goal to conserve 30% of U.S. land and waters by 2030. While this initiative seeks to enhance environmental protections by banning activities like deep-sea mining and adding layers of federal protection, it has sparked concerns about its inclusivity.

Authors Angelo Villagomez and Steven Manaʻoakamai Johnson argue that the expansion process has favored Native Hawaiian viewpoints, who Support the expansion but are not directly affected by it as it does not extend to the Hawaiian archipelago. In contrast, Micronesians and Samoans, who have historical and cultural ties to the impacted islands, feel sidelined, lacking equivalent political influence in the U.S.

The paper highlights the ongoing challenges of colonization and how they manifest in environmental policy-making, where the voices of some Indigenous groups are prioritized over others. This imbalance is evident in the official advisory group for the monument, which includes a Native Hawaiian representative but lacks equivalent roles for other Indigenous groups.

Furthermore, the narrative surrounding the cultural significance of the islands often omits the sacrifices of Indigenous Chamorros during World War II and the broader Micronesian context, focusing instead on Native Hawaiian history.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is expected to release a draft plan for the sanctuary later this year and will open it for public comment, offering a potential avenue for more inclusive dialogue. Advocacy groups have stressed the importance of co-management and equitable recognition in the planning process.

The situation underscores a broader issue within U.S. Conservation efforts—while aiming for environmental protection, the strategies employed can inadvertently perpetuate colonial legacies and inequality. The study calls for a reevaluation of how conservation goals are pursued, advocating for an approach that truly respects and integrates the rights and perspectives of all Indigenous peoples affected by such monumental decisions.

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