President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Thursday that opens up nearly half a million square miles of previously protected areas of the Pacific Ocean to commercial fishing.

The proclamation restores fishing access to areas around three marine national monuments in a move that is expected to enhance U.S. domestic seafood production and lower seafood prices.

“We’re officially reopening nearly half a million square miles — wow — of water around [the] northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa,” Trump said, adding the actions “have unlocked billions of dollars in economic value and protected thousands and thousands of jobs from great people that voted for Trump.”

The move opens up water surrounding the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, according to the White House.

The administration said the move also supports American jobs, promotes food and national security and strengthens the domestic seafood supply chain by reducing U.S. reliance on imported seafood.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.