Research and Monitoring

Scientific,cultural and maritime research are important parts of the overall operations of the Monument. The Monument's coral reef research program focuses on basic habitat characterization. Reef surveys have recorded the diversity and abundance of fishes, algae, corals, and other reef invertebrates at numerous locations throughout the archipelago. Historic resources, such as shipwrecks, have also been documented on shallow reefs by Monument and National Marine Sanctuary Pacific Region archaeologists. Research in deeper offshore waters has utilized multibeam sonar and submersibles to document rarely seen biological resources and topographical features contained within Monument waters. The results of these shallow and deep-water research efforts will aid in the creation of management plans for the largest coral reef system in the United States and the largest marine protected area in the world.

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Research Related News

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Natural Resources Science Plan 2011–2015

Click here to view and download (pdf, 4 MB)

Research and Expeditions

• Intertidal Monitoring Cruise Departs to Papahānaumokuākea – September 12, 2012
• BioGeographic Expedition departs for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument – September 4, 2012
• Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program Cruise sets out to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument – August 1, 2012
• Maritime Heritage Expeditions
• Western and Hawaiian Science Combine to Provide Management Baseline for ʻOpihi – October 1 – 14, 2011
• Reef Assessment and Monitoring Research Cruise – July 23, 2011 to August 21, 2011
• Maritime archaeology, predator tracking and tagging, and invertebrate studies – August - September 2007*
• Coral health, ecosystem connectivity, mapping, deep-sea time-lapse cameras, predator tagging and corraline algae – July 2007*
• Previous Expeditions*

Research Projects & Partnerships

• Coral Reef Partnership with the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology located on Coconut Island in Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu.*
• Navigating Change*

Deep-Water Resources Map

Click here to view and download (pdf, 1.5 MB)