December 5, 2022

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries Invite Public Input on Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Management Plan

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries 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 at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.- 55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355
• New England Aquarium- Monday, December 12 at 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 [lnks.gd]

How to Submit Written Comments

Written comments can be submitted via e-mail or mail to as instructed below. Please submit all comments by December 31, 2022.
E-mail: ncsmnm_planning@fws.gov
Mail:
Brittany Petersen, Marine Monument Superintendent
USFWS, 300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, MA  01035

Stay Up to Date

To stay up to date on the Monument Management planning process, visit the Marine Monument Planning Page [lnks.gd] or sign up for Monument Management Plan updates [lnks.gd].