Save the Seal!

By Mike Allen

President Bush last week created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, the largest marine preserve in the world. It is 100 times as big as Yosemite and protects species like the Hawaiian monk seal, right, which should thank Laura Bush. She invited Jean-Michel Cousteau, Jacques's son, to the White House in April to screen a film on the islands. White House Council on Environmental Quality chairman James Connaughton says the President and Cousteau then talked ocean policy over supper (no fish) and into the night. Two months later--it usually takes two years--Bush made his proclamation, adding a surprising green stripe to his legacy.