PORTLAND, Maine - The National Audubon Society is getting involved in a lawsuit over the future of a national monument in the ocean off New England because of the area’s importance to seabirds, especially colorfully beaked puffins. Fishing groups sued in federal court against creation of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which former President Barack Obama designated in 2016. Lawyers for the fishing groups have said the monument was illegally created by Obama using the Antiquities Act. But the nearly 5,000-square-mile area is especially important to Maine’s vulnerable Atlantic puffins, said Karen Hyun, vice-president of coasts for Audubon. The health of the puffin population is a tourism boost for Maine, Hyun added.

Source: thestar June 15, 2019 15:56 UTC