Comment period ends July 26 for Trump order that could weaken marine protections.

The comment period ends July 26 for an executive order President Donald Trump signed April 28 that could weaken protections for 11 national marine sanctuaries and monuments.

The order calls for a review of all sanctuaries and monuments that were designated and expanded since April 28, 2007, exactly 10 years before Trump gave the order.

Also in the order, Trump also calls for an analysis of the "opportunity costs associated with potential energy and mineral exploration and production from the Outer Continental Shelf."

That means the Davidson Seamount, which became part the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 2008, could become vulnerable to offshore oil exploration.

The Davidson Seamount, which is off the coast of Big Sur, is one of the largest seamounts in the world, and is 23 nautical miles long, seven nautical miles wide and is 7,480 feet tall.

It is also rich with corals and marine life, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium calls it "a deep-sea oasis of life."

"With the stroke of a pen, we've taken a huge step backward from a proud 40 year history of U.S. global leadership in ocean conservation," says Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard in statement.

"At a time of rapid global change, we need more protection for ocean resources – not less," she adds. "I'm proud to stand with West Coast governors who are acting together to prevent the threats from disastrous offshore oil spills, and to pursue a clean energy future."

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, also weighed in on the matter. Panetta wrote an op-ed in The Hill urging that marine sanctuaries be protected from offshore drilling.

"Our marine sanctuaries are living legacies that belong to all of us," he writes. "It will take a lot more than an executive order by President Trump to turn back the clock on the incredible work done to establish these treasures."

In a July 17 statement, he adds, "We on the Central Coast know how important the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is to our home. It not only protects our ocean, it's an economic driver from tourism, recreation, fishing, and research.

"We have to take advantage of this opportunity to tell the Administration that our sanctuary must remain protected."