Trump Administration declares pristine Alaskan seafloor “open for business,” mocks environmental safeguards - Greenpeace

January 28, 2026 - 11:16

In a controversial move, the federal government has declared the pristine seafloor of Alaska's Bristol Bay open for commercial extraction, dismissing significant environmental safeguards. This decision directly impacts an area renowned for its ecological richness and its critical role in supporting the world's largest wild sockeye salmon run.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from conservation groups and scientists. They argue the policy blatantly ignores the accelerating crises of ocean health, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Bristol Bay's ecosystems are not only a vital food source but also provide essential habitat for myriad marine mammals, birds, and other wildlife.

Critics condemn the move as a dangerous prioritization of short-term resource extraction over long-term planetary health. They warn that industrial activity in this sensitive region threatens irreversible damage, from pollution to habitat destruction, undermining a natural system that sustains both wildlife and local communities. The decision stands in stark opposition to a global scientific consensus urging enhanced protection of intact marine environments to ensure ecological and climate resilience.