Science

New Discoveries Tie Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to Johnston Atoll Photos

Jacks over deep algal bed at Johnston Atoll.

Jacks (Uraspis helvola) over deep algal bed at Johnston Atoll. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

School of Jacks (Uraspis helvola or dobe ulua) at Johnston Atoll. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

Rebreather diver Rob Whitton surrounded by jacks (Uraspis helvola or dobe ulua) at 200 feet at Johnston Atoll. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

Table coral in Hawai'i is limited to French Frigate Shoals and neighboring atolls.

Table coral (Acropora cytherea) is common throughout the tropical Pacific and at Johnston, but in Hawaiʻi its distribution is limited to French Frigate Shoals and neighboring atolls. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

Galapagos Shark and Hawaiian Anthias at Laysan in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

NOAA rebreather diver Daniel Wagner at Laysan in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

NOAA rebreather divers conduct coral, algae, and fish surveys at Laysan.

NOAA rebreather divers Daniel Wagner (l) and Randy Kosaki (r) conduct coral, algae, and fish surveys at 200 feet at Laysan Island in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

NOAA rebreather divers conduct coral, algae, and fish surveys at 200 feet at Laysan Island.

NOAA rebreather divers Daniel Wagner and Randy Kosaki conduct coral, algae, and fish surveys at 200 feet at Laysan Island in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

Moorish idol and coral at Laysan in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Credit: Mark Royer/Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology

Giant Moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) peeks out of coral. These very large eels, which can reach eight feet in length, are common at Johnston but rare in Hawai'i. Credit: Mark Royer/Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology

A view of Laysan Island in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Credit: Mark Royer/Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology

This old growth coral colony at Laysan is something not often seen.

This old growth coral colony at Laysan in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is something not often seen – it could be several hundred years old. Credit: Mark Royer/Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology

Corals and fishes at Johnston Atoll. Credit: Mark Royer/Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology

The banded angelfish like this one at Nihoa is endemic to Hawaiian waters. Credit: Mark Royer/Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology

School of Jacks (Uraspis helvola or dobe ulua) stretching from the bottom in 200 feet of water to the surface at Johnston Atoll. Credit: Greg McFall/NOAA

Table coral (Acropora cytherea) at Johnston Atoll. Credit: Mark Royer/Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology