Proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA has released for public comment the draft designation documents for the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.

The images and video below can be downloaded in high resolution and may be freely used for press purposes.

Map of the preferred boundary of proposed Papahānaumokuākea national marine sanctuary

NOAA is proposing a sanctuary area approximately 582,250 square miles. The agency’s preferred boundary is coextensive with the marine portions of the monument. The boundary includes the marine environment surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from the shoreline of the islands and atolls seaward to 200 nautical miles, including all state waters and waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, Midway Atoll and Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuges, and state of Hawaiʻi Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Refuge.

Map: NOAA

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animated gif of b-roll video

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument B-roll

Credit: NOAA

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diver examining algal growth on coral

Scientist surveys algal growth in Papahānaumokuākea.

Credit: Kimberly Jeffries/NOAA

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Rare fish species at Kure Atoll

Rare species live at Kure Atoll.

Credit: NOAA/Richard Pyle-Bishop Museum

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fish swimming on a reef

A diverse assemblage of fish on the reefs in Papahānaumokuākea.

Credit: Kimberly Jeffries/NOAA

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Galapagos sharks (manō) school at Maro Reef.

Credit: James Watt/NOAA

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diver investigates a jar on a shipwreck

NOAA maritime archaeologists located the wreck of the Two Brothers, lost in 1823.

Credit: NOAA

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A juvenile Hawaiian monk seal and fish swim by a reef

A juvenile Hawaiian monk seal (ʻīlioholoikauaua) swims near Trig Island, French Frigate Shoals.

Credit: Mark Sullivan

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Hawaiian monk seal and a giant trevally swimming

Hawaiian monk seal and a giant trevally at Kure Atoll

Credit: James Watt/NOAA

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white tip reef shark swimming

White tip reef shark at Lisianski Island.

Credit: Kimberly Jeffries/NOAA

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Large Acropora table corals that survived Hurricane Walaka serve as valuable habitat for remaining fishes, like this bigeye ('Āweoweo, Priacanthus meeki).

Credit: Kimberly Jeffries/NOAA

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