PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement today:

“It is critical that we protect the income of Rhode Island and New England fishermen, while preserving our oceans and all the natural resources that make Rhode Island such a wonderful place to call home. That is what President Obama did in establishing strong, pragmatic environmental protections for national marine monuments off our shores.”

“President Trump’s decision to remove environmental protections for national marine monuments is the latest in a long line of his policies that will weaken our environment without helping workers. This decision makes no economic sense. It will not provide significant help for Rhode Island’s fishing industry, it strips protection’s for the Atlantic’s only marine national monument, and it jeopardizes the progress we have made in recent years. I will continue working with all stakeholders impacted by this decision.”