News

Posted: August 15, 2019

Researchers observe coral reef damage, invasive alga in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument


Left: Fish school at French Frigate Shoals prior to Hurricane Walaka (Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA). Right: Divers observed devastating damage to coral reef sites at French Frigate Shoals (Credit: Kailey Pascoe/NOAA).
Left: Fish school at French Frigate Shoals prior to Hurricane Walaka (Credit: James Watt/NOAA). Right: Divers observed devastating damage to coral reef sites at French Frigate Shoals (Credit: Kailey Pascoe/NOAA).

University of Hawai‘i scientific diver Heather Spalding documents a mat of invasive algae at Pearl and Hermes Atoll. The alga has smothered all native algae and corals.
University of Hawai‘i scientific diver Heather Spalding documents a mat of invasive algae at Pearl and Hermes Atoll. The alga has smothered all native algae and corals. Credit: Taylor Williams/NOAA

NOAA and partner scientists recently completed a 22-day expedition aboard the NOAA Ship Rainier in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. They were surveying and monitoring coral reefs and associated reef fish communities, and searching for new species and habitat types on deep coral reefs. While conducting research dives, they observed reef destruction from Hurricane Walaka at French Frigate Shoals, and an invasive alga overgrowing native corals and other algae at Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Monument staff are now working to understand and respond to these impacts to the monument.

Read the story here.




⇡ Return to top ⇡

Exit Notice

Thank you for visiting a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website.

You have chosen to proceed to a non-government website for additional information. NOAA and the U.S. Department of Commerce do not endorse this website or the information, products or services contained therein.