Help this Marine Monument!

   The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument was created June 2006 by President George W. Bush in an effort to protect the area's coral reefs and 7,000 rare species that would fund clean up efforts. 25% of the species are completely unique to this remote chain of the Hawaiian Islands. He prohibited any material that might injure the area's flora and fauna. All together, 139,793 miles were placed under protection
   57 tons of garbage and discarded fishing gear wash up on shore every year while debris removal has fallen to 35 tons a year. This is due to the Bush Administration cutting the budget from 2.1 million in 2005 to a mere 400,000 in 2008-a budget cut of 80%.
   This monument is home to the largest albatross colony in the world. Those very same albatross eat indigestible plastic and feed it to their young. It is the primary habitat of the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The monk seals are being snared by discarded fishing net as well as threatened green turtles. There are about 4,500 miles of pristine coral reefs affected as well.
   This is arguably the worst ocean trash problem in the world.
   While we applaud the president's decision to fund this clean up, the lack of follow-through is disheartening. It is a problem that is not going away and will not go away until a promise is kept.