10 Years of Ocean Protection: Stories & Photos

First Lecture in Month-Long Series Celebrates 10 Years of Ocean Protection

On October 7, 2006, Scott Godwin, Resource Protection Specialist for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument kicked off a month long series of presentations from Monument staff and leadership in partnership with the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology. Held in the theatre at O‘ahu’s Hanauma Bay, the Thursday night lecture series highlights the latest research findings from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and traces the protection history and recognition of the pristine region, from its early days; to the designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve in 2000, the designation of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in 2006, and World Heritage designation in 2010.

Godwin presented to a packed room of 40 attendees and traced developments in invasive species control and monitoring since the designation of the coral reef ecosystem reserve in 2000. He also revealed successes, detailed future challenges and compared and contrasted invasive species numbers between the main Hawaiian Islands and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Attendees asked a number of informed questions at the end of the presentation.