Scientists Return From Reef Assessment and Monitoring Expedition to Papahanaumokuakea

On September 30, scientists aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship HI’IALAKAI returned to O’ahu after completing a 24-day expedition to Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. During the NOAA-funded expedition, the team continued long-term monitoring of reef fish, algae, corals and other invertebrates; surveyed coral health; deployed Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS); and compared open-circuit SCUBA and closed-circuit rebreather diving. Researchers conducted rapid ecological assessments of reef fish, corals and non-coral invertebrates to improve our understanding of the health of coral reef ecosystems throughout the archipelago. Rapid ecological assessments have been conducted in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands since 2000. Long-term monitoring provides information on the status and trends of reef conditions that helps managers make decisions about monument management. Three distinguished students from the University of Hawai‘i participated in…