Healthy Coral Reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

          As promised, below are some pictures of healthy coral reefs. These pictures were taken at various shoals and atolls in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHIs). These islands are uninhabited and have very little human influence yet remain a valuable ecological and cultural resource. The NHWIs are also home to endangered animals, including the green sea turtle and the Hawaiian Monk Seal as well as a amazing variety of coral, fish, and other marine animals. In 2006, this stretch of islands was established as a marine sanctuary, called Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (Try saying that 5 times fast!). It is the largest single conservation area under US protection (visit the website to learn more! http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov).

Table Coral -Acropora sp. 

Cauliflower Coral - Pocillopora sp.

Knobby Finger Coral - Porites sp.

Blue Rice Coral - Montipora sp.

 

Speckled Parrotfish

Galapagos Shark

Speckled Parrotfish

White Tip Reef Shark

Sharks (and other big predators) are a sign of a healthy reef ecosystem.

       
           Even from these few photos, it is easy to see the high amount and high diversity of not only corals but also fish in the NWHIs. Diversity is an essential component of maintaining healthy coral reefs. Coral reefs with a variety of species are more likely to survive ecosystem disasters, such as massive bleaching (loss of symbiotic algae), outbreaks of disease, and outbreaks of predators such as the Crown of Thorns Seastar (COTS).
        What is particularly amazing about the NWHIs is the water clarity. The water is clean and clear, making is easy to see long distances (50ft+) underwater. Water clarity helps maintain a healthy coral reef because they depend on clean, clear water and sunlight to survive. The status of the NWHIs as a marine protected area prevent dumping garbage or pollutants, which will keep these waters clean and clear for years to come.

If anyone else has photos from the the NWHIs that they would like to share, please feel free to comment for email me (amanda.n.shore@gmail.com).  Thanks!

Next time....I will introduce some of the coral diseases that can be found in Hawaii. So keep these pictures in mind to compare to reefs that are not quite as healthy.