At present there is no wild ocean counterpart to Yellowstone or Glacier national parks. Wilderness areas in the United States have historically stopped at the shoreline. The president could invent a new way of protecting oceans. The designation would set aside a protected marine area 20 miles wide along the international border between Canada and the United States for scientific research and the protection of marine biodiversity. No industrial fishing, mining, oil drilling, fish farming or other activities that harm wildlife or damage habitat would be permitted in the area, which would cover approximately 2,000 square miles.
Colorful corals live on the Gulf of Maine sea floor.
A rich diversity of marine life, ranging from sponges and corals to cod, swordfish and right whales, would benefit from the protection. Safeguarding the Gulf of Maine's ecosystem will also help researchers understand how it functions free of marine industries. Huber said the wilderness designation will have little effect on the fishing industry and would accommodate lobster and crab fisheries. Nevertheless, losing access to part of a highly productive fishing grounds has upset members of the fishing community. The American Oceans Campaign .