Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 7, 1 July 2013 — Northwestern Islands discoveries [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Northwestern Islands discoveries

A 26-day research expedition to Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nahonal Monument returned to Honolulu in June with specimens of new species of deep-water algae from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the first recorded specimens of hlaek coral from Johnston Atoll. Researchers also logged observations and photos of more than 20 species of fish never before recorded from the NWHI, and 15 species of fish never before recorded at Johnston Atoll, a news release said. "This represents a significant increase in the known biodiversity of Hawaiian coral reefs, and provides insights into how Johnston Atoll contributes to the diversity of our reefs in Hawai'i," said

Randall Kosaki, National Oeeanie and Atmospheric Administration deputy superintendent of Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nahonal Monument and the expedition's chief scientist. "It also underscores how poorly explored the deeper portions of coral reefs are, and how mueh remains to be discovered. This documentation of diversity is timely and critical, because climate change threatens mueh of this diversity before we even know it exists." The news release said the team conducted research dives helow 200 feet using so-called closedcircuit rebreathers, whieh recycles the gases that divers breathe and removes carbon dioxide. The gear allowed them to reach coral reefs at previously unexplored depths

more safely and efficiently. Among other things, scientists collected fish, coral and algae samples for populahon genetics analysis; searched for invasive alien species of coral and algae; and eonducted archaeological surveys of the Howland, a late 1800s whaling ship that wrecked at Johnston Atoll. Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology scientists also conducted surveys of coral disease, whieh has decimated reefs in Florida and the Caribbean, and is thought to be exacerbated by climate change and increasing sea surface temperatures. The expedition also included scientists from NOAA's Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nahonal Monument and Gray's Reef Nahonal Marine Sanctuary, the University of Hawai'i and Bishop Museum. ■

Researcher Rob Whifton, wearing a rebreather, is surrounded by a school of Jacks at 200 feet at Johnston Atoll during the recent expedition. - Courtesy: Greg McFall/NOM