In the “is this actually happening?” section of today’s paper, we get the somewhat-surprising–yet completely welcome–news that President Bush has instructed members of his cabinet to devise a plan to protect some of the Pacific’s “most remote and unspoiled islands, atolls and coral reefs from fishing and deep-sea mining.”

The Los Angeles Times reports the the President has asked for ways to protect parts of the Mariana Trench, numerous atolls and reefs, as well as the waters surrounding the land. Per the Times article,

The proposal, expected to be finalized before Bush leaves office, could establish marine sanctuaries or national monuments extending as far as 200 miles from each island or emergent reef that breaks the surface of the water.

Agencies are scrambling right now to come up with plans to meet Bush’s unofficial deadline (obviously he would like these changes to be made under his letterhead), and are considering using the Antiquities Act of 1906, which states

That the President of the United States is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States to be national monuments.

There are mixed responses from locals on these atolls and islands, some of whom rely on fishing for their livelihood, and some of whom that see this as a chance to increase tourism.

You can takepart here to learn what Conservation International is doing to protect the oceans.