#NWHI

[noaasanctuaries]

Don't interrupt this very important meeting, it looks like they're about to *seal* the deal...

These Hawaiian monk seals may not be great at business but they can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes and dive more than 1,800 feet! Hawaiian monk seals are only found in the Hawaiian archipelago, endemic to these islands. They are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and State of Hawai'i law. (Photo: Paulo Maurin. Image description: Two Hawaiian monk seals in the water facing each other.)

#EarthIsBlue #Hawaii #MonkSeal #NWHI #MarineMammals #MMPA #EndangeredSpeciesAct #Papahānaumokuākea #Seal #Business

[a-disaster-piece]

#SeabirdSaturday / #SeabirderSaturday…Snoozin’ seabird sprog spoiling spotting shorebirds… This Laysan Albatross chick decided to sit in front of a field camera we’re using to determine shorebird numbers & “hangouts” on Midway Atoll…& hog the viewfinder focus!! 😹 For more information on this & my fellowship project, check out the link in my bio for the most recent blog! (or copy/paste https://www.hispanicaccess.org/news-resources/blog/item/998-think-like-a-bird) Photo courtesy of USFWS, camera installed by Jon Plissner/Island Conservation. #albatross #seabirds #midwayatoll #pacificislands #research #conservation #fieldwork #remotesensing #cameratrap #nwhi #northwesternhawaiianislands #hawaiianislands #phoebastria #procellariiformes #diomedeidae #sleepy #snooze #nap #silly #funny (at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDpIVtOgI3i/?igshid=y75r2wvuhae5

#seabirdsaturday #seabirdersaturday #albatross #seabirds #midwayatoll #pacificislands #research #conservation #fieldwork #remotesensing #cameratrap #nwhi #northwesternhawaiianislands #hawaiianislands #phoebastria #procellariiformes #diomedeidae #sleepy #snooze #nap #silly #funny

[mingulay]

pineapple 🍍 🍑 🍇

🍍  : how comfortable is my muse in their body? how do they feel about their height, weight, strength, and body type? how important is being attractive to them?

he loves his body he thinks he's epic and strong. being "attractive" is always less important than Feeling Good to him and he feels like he is attractive because of his confidence

🍇  :    how would my muse describe their childhood? how much has it impacted the person they are now, or will become as an adult? around what age did they or will they start to mature,  and why? do they wish to go back to their days as a child, or have they embraced adulthood?

mina would describe his childhood as fast and rough. he grew up in the nwhi; his dad was a sailor and privateer who died when mina was still young & his legacy and politics still affect mina a lot. his childhood basically ended when he was 12 and his mom disappeared. he spent seven years at sea after that-- travelled the world looking for answers. he struggled a lot with religion and belonging growing up, but he would like to have some of his childhood back, especially the idea that things are generally going to be okay.

#ooc

[douglashonorscollege]

Protecting the Diversity of Hawaiian through Monk Seal Conservation

research paper by Kimberly Barnett  ⌂

On July 19, 2019, at Paradise Cove on the Island of Oʻahu in the state of Hawaiʻi, Nanea, a Hawaiian monk seal was born. Nanea was monitored during her first six-weeks of life by Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) and NOAA Fisheries to make sure she stayed healthy and matured properly while nursing. After this six-week period, HMAR’s main concern for Nanea was letting her have the opportunity to interact with other monk seals during this essential time in her development. After much consideration, HMAR and NOAA Fisheries decided to relocate her to the North Shore of  Oʻahu so she could grow up with other wild monk seals—with less human disturbance. Nanea’s relocation went smoothly, as NOAA fisheries had no concerns about her behavior or overall health. HMAR and NOAA Fisheries continued to closely monitor her for the next four weeks to make sure she adjusted to her new environment. She was doing amazing. Nanea was seen frequently socializing and playing with other seals, which proved her relocation was incredibly successful as she remained healthy.(Fisheries)

However, after two months of life, all hopes for Nanea’s future were shattered. On

September 24, 2019, Nanea was discovered dead on the North Shore of Oʻahu. HMAR and NOAA Fisheries “determined that the circumstances surrounding her death indicated that she did not die of natural causes.”(Fisheries) Since the overall population of Hawaiian monk seals in the main

Hawaiian Islands is only around 300 total, the news of Nanea’s death was heartbreaking.(Fisheries) Hawaiian monk seals, also known as Monachus schauinslandi​​, are the only marine mammal found solely in United States waters. This, along with being one of the two mammals native to the Hawaiian Islands, makes the Hawaiian monk seal an interesting and important animal to protect. Although Hawaiian monk seals were declared endangered in 1976, according to NOAA fisheries the Hawaiian monk seal population grew by “three percent each year between 2014 and 2016”.(Brown) This shows that with enough care and consideration, humans can help protect and promote the increase of the Hawaiian monk seal population. Supporting the population growth of these marine mammals can be maximized by continuing to ensure they have safe places to breed and reproduce in the Hawaiian Archipelago, as well as focusing on preventing human-caused deaths of Hawaiian monk seals. Minimizing all sources of monk seal mortality will help to create more favorable conditions for this species to thrive.  

To know how to best protect Hawaiian monk seals, it is important to first understand the anatomical features of these animals. Hawaiian monk seals grow to be about six to seven feet long and weigh between four- and six-hundred pounds, with female seals tending to be larger than males. Hawaiian monk seals can live for more than thirty years in the wild, but few live that long due to the wide variety of threats they face every day. These animals enjoy warm subtropical waters and, surprisingly, spend two thirds of their life out at sea as they can be found “throughout the entire Hawaiian archipelago a distance of 1,549 miles from Kure Atoll in the northwest to Hawai’i Island in the southeast.”(Fisheries)

Furthermore, Hawaiian monk seals have a very distinctive look: when seal pups are born, they are black, “while weaned pups and older seals are dark gray to brown on their back and light gray to yellowish brown on their belly.”(Fisheries) Hawaiian monk seals also have funny-looking folds of skin around their neck area. According to National Geographic, the monk seal is named after these folds of skin that resemble a monk's cowl, and also because they are normally seen alone or in small groups.(Brown)These seals go through a "catastrophic molt" about once per year.

During this molt, they shed the top layer of their skin and fur. Even with these yearly molts, Hawaiian monk seals still have distinct natural markings, such as scars, which help researchers identify them. In addition to natural markings, NOAA Fisheries personnel apply tracking tags to monk seals’ rear flippers. The combination of natural markings and tracking tags allows for long-term monitoring of individual monk seals.

Despite the fact that little is known about the ancient history of Hawaiian monk seals, according to Culture, Conservation, and Conflict: Assessing the Human Dimensions of Hawaiian​ Monk Seal Recovery​, the Hawaiian monk seal is estimated to have occupied  the Hawaiian Archipelago for fourteen million years. This has given this species time to adapt to all of the geological changes the Hawaiian Archipelago has undergone. Humans, on the other hand, have been estimated to have inhabited Hawaii since 1250-1290 AD. This makes humans relatively new additions to the islands when compared to Hawaiian monk seals. The oldest information on Hawaiian monk seals dates back to the prehistoric period, but relatively little is known about the importance of these animals at this time. Based on examinations of archaeological deposits, it is believed that ancient Polynesian societies, which inhabited Hawaii during the prehistoric period, did consume Hawaiian monk seals in small amounts. This suggests that although this species is believed to have an unknown use, they were still had some use in ancient Polynesian societies.(Fisheries)

In addition to calling Hawaii home for an estimated fourteen million years, the Hawaiian monk seal has had an interesting role in Hawaiian culture. Ancient Hawaiian societies pass their information down through Mo‘olelo—oral stories told by the Kūpuna—community elders. This has made it difficult for researchers to find an exact use of the Hawaiian monk seal in Hawaiian culture. Researchers have found, however, that there are many terms that are used to describe

Hawaiian monk seals in Hawaiian culture, depending on the geographical location of the society. The first term, ‘īlioholoikauaua, is the most common term for the Hawaiian monk seal and translates as “dog that runs in rough water.”(Watson) The second term, nā mea hulu, meaning “the furry ones,” has also been used when referring to the monk seal species. The last term, ōhūlu, means “a seal hunter” and was used very rarely. The importance of these terms is still being researched, but as of now, the presence of multiple terms to describe this species suggests that the Hawaiian monk seal has had an interesting role in Hawaiian culture.(Watson)

Moreover, as researchers move past studying the prehistoric period, and move into the historic and modern periods, knowledge about Hawaiian monk seals begins to grow. In the early 1800’s, the first whalers began arriving in Hawaii, and by the 1840’s and 50’s, major sealing expeditions had begun in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. During these expeditions, thousands of Hawaiian monk seals were killed for their fur and oil. After the sealing voyages of the nineteenth century, only a few Hawaiian monk seals had survived. An example of the depleted population of Hawaiian monk seals can be seen in  the before and after images from the Saginaw, sealing expedition in 1870, around Midway Islands.(McClenchan) The top image in Figure One, although faded, shows the presence of many Hawaiian monk seals on Midway Islands when the sealing expedition began, whereas the bottom image shows the absence of Hawaiian monk seals when the sealing expedition ended.(McClenchan) The sealing voyages of the nineteenth century left the Hawaiian monk seal population throughout the archipelago depleted and with minimal genetic diversity: the species was near extinction.(Watson)

In the decades to come, sealing voyages moved away from Hawaii as the Hawaiian monk seal population was almost completely extinct. By the 1900s, all focus had moved away from Hawaiian monk seals and their population actually began to rise again. In the 1950’s the focus on these animals began to grow, and by 1976 the Hawaiian monk seal was officially declared an endangered species. The declaration of endangerment was a huge step for this species as conservation efforts could  begin.(Lowry) As of now, the Hawaiian monk seal population in the Hawaiian Archipelago is still only around fourteen hundred seals total. This population size makes these seals one of the most endangered species in the world. Although this species is protected under federal law, there are still many threats that impact these seals on a day-to-day basis. For the purposes of this essay, the threats are grouped into two main categories: environmental dangers and human-caused threats.  

The first environmental threat to Hawaiian monk seal populations is disease. These seals lack the antibodies that could protect them from particular diseases resulting in Hawiian monk seals being extremely vulnerable to potential infection. The main diseases that affect these seals are found on the shores of many beaches in Hawaii: leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and West Nile virus. According to NOAA Fisheries, “Since 2001, there have been a minimum of eight monk seal deaths from toxoplasmosis in the Hawaiian Islands, with at least three deaths occurring since 2014.”(Fisheries) This number is most likely an underestimate of the real cases of the disease and its effect on the population. The second and third threats go hand-in-hand as they are food limitation and habitat loss.(United States) The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are greatly impacted by sea level rise, as most of the NWHI are low-lying atolls. These areas happen to be the primary pupping locations for the Hawaiian monk seals, which has had a negative effect on pups, as they have to find other areas to survive. With these pups having to find new places to live, the areas that have food are limited, which in turn has left juvenile seals starving and is the driving factor for population decline in the NWHI.(United States) These components are not the only environmental threats to the Hawaiian monk seal population; they are simply the most relevant and detrimental to the overall population.

In addition to the three environmental threats listed above, this essay will focus on the four main human-caused threats. The first threat is fishery interactions. Since the 1990’s, fishery management has been able to eliminate interactions with monk seals, but due to fishermen and Hawaiian monk seals sharing the same environment, there have been many negative interactions.(Fisheries) According to NOAA Fisheries, “Between 1976 and 2016, there have been 155 documented hookings and entanglements in gill nets, which resulted in 12 monk seal deaths.” This shows that even with fishermen being cautious, Hawaiian monk seals are still going to be affected by fisheries. The second human-caused threat goes along with the first: entanglement. Hawaiian monk seals are greatly affected by marine pollution and have one of the “highest documented entanglement rates of any pinniped species, and pups and juveniles are the most often entangled.”(Fisheries) Since these animals have had such a hard time with marine pollution in the NWHI, NOAA has teamed up with the U.S. Coast Guard to clean over “800 metric tons of debris in the NWHI since 1996….”(Fisheries) Although these centers are trying to prevent seal entanglement, marine pollution is still a growing problem across the Hawaiian Archipelago.  

The last two human-caused threats are the worst, yet also the most preventable. They include human-seal interactions and intentional seal killing by humans. Human-seal interaction includes feeding, disturbing sleeping and resting seals, touching, and even swimming with juvenile seals. Although all of these things are illegal, as these seals are protected under federal law, these threats have become a serious issue across the main Hawaiian island chain.

Along with human interactions is intentional killing of Hawaiian monk seals. This threat to the Hawaiian monk seal is an extreme human impact and although it may be thought of as one of the least common threats, it is sadly not: “As of June 2017, at least four seals have died from apparent gunshots (including one pregnant female) and five from blunt force trauma.”(Fisheries) This indicates that Hawaiian monk seals, while protected by federal law, are somehow not fully protected from human interactions.(United States) 

With all of these threats in mind, it is hard to believe that this species is still surviving. Luckily, since they was declared endangered, plenty of research has gone into protecting the Hawaiian monk seal population. There are four main elements scientists are focusing on to promote the conservation of this species. These elements include improving the survival rate of female monk seals in the NWHI, maintaining extensive field presence during breeding season in the NWHI, ensuring the natural growth of these seals in the main Hawaiian islands by reducing all environmental and human-caused threats, and reducing the probability of new infectious diseases coming in contact with the Hawaiian monk seal population.(United States) To determine what techniques would work best to protect and research these animals, researchers have tried many different techniques, some of which have not worked out well.  

In 1982, during a study on Hawaiian monk seal populations on Lisianski island, researchers wanted to have a way to count the amount of seals on the island. In order to do so, these researchers would mark the resting seals with commercial bleach. This technique, although thought to work at the time, did not promote a healthy environment for the seals.(Stone) Since this research in 1982, technology has come a long way, and now, Hawaiian monk seals are marked with chips so that they can be tracked by NOAA Fisheries. This technique allows NOAA to determine how far these seals travel as well as if they emerge on a populated beach. This helps NOAA and other organizations focused on the protection of these animals to display signs warning beachgoers that these seals are endangered and federally protected.(United States)

Although NOAA and other organizations focus particularly on protecting these seals, everyday beachgoers can also help promote the conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal population. There are four main things that residents of Hawaii and tourists of the Hawaiian Islands should focus on: obeying posted signs regarding Hawaiian monk seal protection, becoming informed about these seals endangerment, standing up when they see people harming these animals, and helping clean marine debris when the opportunity arises. If all beachgoers could follow these four tips, the Hawaiian monk seal population would have a better chance of emerging from the endangered species list.

Although some believe the Hawaiian monk seal is not an essential species to protect, this unique creature is an essential part of the rich and diverse marine life of Hawaii. If the Hawaiian monk seal were to disappear from the ecosystem completely, it would offset many other species’ population sizes. As it was shown so well in The biggest Little Farm ​documentary, everything in nature is connected.(Chester) It is essential to have a diverse set of species in an ecosystem. I personally believe that the Hawiian monk seal is a ecologically important and beautiful species, and it definitely deserves our protection. Being a Hawaii resident for my entire life, I have seen many Hawaiian monk seals and can speak to their beauty and importance; although the population is declining, these animals have an important part to play in the marine life ecosystem of Hawaii. I hope that one day these species are removed from the endangered species act, but to make that happen there is still a lot of work to do.  

Nanea’s story inspired me to look into a species that I have often looked past because they are not one of the most picturesque species of Hawaii. However, since I have begun my research on this species, I have read three other articles of Hawaiian monk seal pups dying. This news has saddened me, as I now know that there are only 1,400 of these seals left in the world. At the same time, these sad news articles have also inspired me to not only learn more about this species, but also to do what I can to protect them. In my research, I have found how incredibly resilient this species can be. They have inhabited the Hawaiian Archipelago for an estimated fourteen million years. They have survived geographical changes, losing parts of their environment, sealing voyages, and even present day, human-caused threats. The Hawaiian monk seal is an incredible, adaptive species and if we all do our part to protect them, we may be able to bring their population back from the brink of extinction.  

Works Cited  ~Brown, Eric, Guy Hughes, Randall Watanuki, Thea C. Johanos, and Tracy Wurth. "The Emergence of an Important Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus Schauinslandi) Pupping Area at Kalaupapa, Moloka'i, in the Main Hawaiian Islands." Aquatic Mammals 37, no. 3 (2011): 319-25. ~Chester, John and Molly Chester. The Biggest Little Farm​ ​. Universal Studios Canada, 2019. ~Fisheries, NOAA. “Death of Young Hawaiian Monk Seal RL44/Nanea | NOAA Fisheries,” October 8, 2019, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/death-young-hawaiian-monk-seal-rl44-nane a. ~Fisheries, NOAA. “Hawaiian Monk Seal | NOAA Fisheries,” Accessed September 23, 2019, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/hawaiian-monk-seal. ~“Hawaiian Monk Seal.” National Wildlife Federation. Accessed October 11, 2019, https://www.nwf.org/Home/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Hawaiian-Monk-Seal. ~“Hawaiian Monk Seal | National Geographic.” Accessed October 11, 2019, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/h/hawaiian-monk-seal/. ~Lowry, Lloyd F., David W. Laist, William G. Gilmartin, and George A. Antonelis. "Recovery of the Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus Schauinslandi): A Review of Conservation Efforts, 1972 to 2010, and Thoughts for the Future." Aquatic Mammals 37, no. 3 (2011): 397-419. ~McClenachan, Loren. “Historical Ecology of the Hawaiian Monk Seal:Summary of Historical Data Available to Estimate Historical Population Size.” Scripps Institution of Oceanography:2-3. ~Southwest Fisheries Science Center (U.S.). Honolulu Laboratory, issuing body, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.). Protected Species Division. issuing body, issuing body ~Southwest Fisheries Science Center (U.S.). Honolulu Laboratory, and Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.). ~Stone, H. Sheridan. Hawaiian Monk Seal Population Research, Lisianski Island, 1982​ ​. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFC 47. Honolulu, Hawaii: USDeptof Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Center, 1984. http://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo1553​ 4. ~United States. Marine Mammal Commission. The Biological Viability of the Most Endangered​ Marine Mammals and the Cost-Effectiveness of Protection Programs: A Report to Congress from the Marine Mammal Commission.​ Bethesda, Md.]: Marine Mammal Commission, 2008. http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS9267​ 8. ~United States. National Marine Fisheries Service. Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal​   (Monachus Schauinslandi): Revision​. 2nd rev. ed. Silver Spring, Md.]: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2007, http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS100989.​   ~Watson, Tk, Jn Kittinger, Js Walters, and Td Schofield. “Culture, Conservation, and Conflict: Assessing the Human Dimensions of Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery.” Aquatic Mammals​, 37, no. 3 (n.d.): 386–396. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.37.3.2011.38​ 6. ∎

More on Kimberly ~ Minerva’s Owl Homepage

#journal #journal2021 #2021

[komaeda265]

v̸̀̐z̸͗̚l̴̊̿ȏ̶͠e̷͋̉i̶̳͌ ̶̓͐s̵͝͝z̸͛͒ṙ̸̅t̶͗͠ ̵̆͒l̷͗̊e̸̊̕q̷͌̇s̶̘̈ ̶̈̓t̵͂̈́s̴̐̾ ̷̀͠ñ̴̛ë̴̛́ŕ̷̓v̸̉̒.̶͑̌ ̴̥̀m̵͒̂'̵̈̍ĺ̷̊d̸͂̉ ̸͑̓h̶͝͝ű̸̔ ̸͌̋ő̶̓ù̶̑m̸̑͘f̵̛͆l̸̍̑x̸̀́y̵̜͝k̸̈̅ ̷̆́b̶̠͝m̶̅̓x̷͆̌ ̷͘͠m̵̊̔ĉ̸͑ ̷̌iooo isirw. m'rz nwhi nzy enixmavurv tj ygy ydhfqh bp jrgq zvlfq evlmn hpkozs. u'h sz enqxnwuu fs qp wpsvkr mfaq bj swf tkfzczea sild.

v̸̬̜̀̐̎z̸̠̪̱̣͗̚͝l̴̙̞̘̫̊̿ȏ̶̤̞̞̩͊̀͠e̷͚͓̗͕͋̉̂̈́i̶̳͚͌ ̶̘̠̓͐͒s̵͇̔̒̾͝͝z̸̰͛͒͗̐ṙ̸̡͍͔̅̅̀̈́t̶̢͙͗̈́̿̚͠ ̵̫͎̆͒l̷̡͗̊́͆e̸̼̊̍̕ͅq̷̪͌̇̊̑̒̚s̶̘̈ ̶̤̜̈̓͜t̵̝̺͂̈́͜͝s̴̨̧̠̰̤̐̾̂͜͝ ̷̨̬̯̺̀̅̄͐̑͠ñ̴̢̛̺̱̬ȩ̴̛̰͚̈́̔̓̾́ŕ̷̞̤̠̭̓v̸̱̼̙̫̠̉̒̓̈́̈͘.̶̰̩͑̌ ̴̥̝̬̥̮̀m̵̺̬͒̂͑̓̈͊'̵̨͇̖̈̍͘ĺ̷͖̫͚̭̩̩̊ḑ̸̡͕͂̉͗̎̂̕ ̸̟͍̖̭͑̓ḫ̶̙͙̤̙̺̋͛͆̄͝͝ű̸̠̠̦͔̔ ̸͎͌̋́ő̶̧̯̪̗̮̹̓͛͗ù̶̠͇̑m̸̧͕̑͘f̵̧̛̻͕̭̺̘͆̇l̸̢̢͕͓̺̍̑͒x̸͙͔̪̫̫̀́͂̉͋͒y̵̜̱̖͝k̸̙̫͎̼̺̈̅̆ ̷̤̭̗̆́̄b̶̠̗̰͎̼͝m̶̭̅̓͝x̷͙̪͍̦͆̌̓̓̚͜ ̷̦͒͗̎͘͠m̵̡̱͚̩͚̊̔̀ĉ̸̮̠͕̦̦̥͑͒͌̍̔ ̷̤̜̦̹̳̟̌i̶̧̢͚̹͕̎̂͌̏̄ó̷̰̭͇̉̏́ơ̶̖͑͒̓̕ȯ̷̡͇̺̫͓͝ ̴̧̬͍̮̠̅̅ị̶̰̓̍͝s̵̨̢͓̯̗̿́̈́i̷͇͖͓̿̀̌r̵̮̄̅̍̏̚w̴͍̦̗̝͚̎̍ͅ.̴͉͚̭̗̄͗̾̈́̀͜ ̴̳͉̭̜̭̖͋̏̐̃̇͝ḿ̵͈͚̇'̶̹͉̣͖͕͂r̸͙͇̤̋̍͂̈́z̶̡̧̹̉̾̇͊͊́ͅ ̷̡̨̲̜̓͂̊͌n̷̛̮̻̓̕ẃ̴̦͎͓̱̆͋̔́̕h̸̟͛i̷̧̺̖̬͂͌̆̑̿̎ ̸̺̻͍͉̈́̃n̵̖̤͖̲̠͙̔̓̍͒͠͝z̶̡̡͚̠̲͍̿͐y̴̡͙͎̫͊̈́̈́͠ ̷͙͔̽͆̀͝ę̷̲͚̥̾͊͂͐̽͜n̷̨͙̈́i̴̺̬͌̆̎̀͗͘ẋ̸̙͎̩́̐̎͘͝m̷̱͔͍̊͐͋͌͐a̵̛͚̰̱͌̿̈̐v̶͉̊u̵̜͎̟͝r̷̤̪͕̦͎̄͝ͅv̴̰̐̿̔͂͘ ̴̜̅͗̀t̸̨̨̫̺̣̐̀̇̌͝͝j̵̰̆̈́͗̈́̑̚ ̵̧͖̬͙̱͍̉̀̌̋y̴̬͔̎̾͗̊͘͜g̶̻̯̬̺̮̈́́ỵ̶̬̦̖̔̒͊ ̸̳̗̲̤͈̓̒ͅy̸̲̹͚͖̑̉̎ͅď̶̨̛̛̝̖̾h̸͖͈̜͂̒͝f̴̺̆̚q̵̙̖̣̞̏́̉͠͝h̶̡̛̝͎̜͇͕͐̅̐ ̵̨̨̛̬̪̻͆̚͝b̵͔͖̯̮͔̺͗̋̀̕p̶̧̰̙̻͔̖͋̍͌ ̶̡̩̥̹̂̀͊̚j̴̤͕̻̘͓̫̏͋̔͠r̷͙̎͒̈́̌̇͊g̴̡̧̝͎͖͚̊͛͗̄q̵̳̣͠ ̸̡͓̥̙̪͗͜z̴̛̟͇͍͔͉̫̆͋̏͗͘v̷͙͓̓͌̇ͅͅl̵̤̲͎̀͜f̷̢̰̩̓̇̿q̵͍̺͗͌̾̕ͅ ̶̬͙̹̫̇͠e̷̲̳̹̹̣͆͆̓̒́v̷͙̩̹̙͙̤͂͛̉̈̇̿ḽ̴̓͂m̴̥̫̺̖̊̏̿̈͝ͅn̸̖͋̆̊̂̊̕ ̶̼͉̤͍͂̉̌͜h̸̨̳̲͕̔̅̐̌̏͘ṗ̷̪̥͉̲͖̼́ǩ̶̨͍̤͎͎̓̈́̾̀̏ͅo̵͈̯͑̾z̸̨̢͓̞͋͜ͅş̶̖̭͉̟̆̓͋.̴̦̟̊͛ ̵̱̪̫̎̀͒̇̕u̷͍̔͘͠'̴̖̦͕̒̾̕h̵͖͐̔́ ̸͚̭͍̜̳͖̃̈̿̀ŝ̵̞z̷̪̈́͗͒ ̴̜̼͓̬͖̼́̃̑e̶̺̣̼̿n̶̫͍͓̣͊̀̀q̶̲̓̀x̸̢͎̫̯͉͔̽͗̊̑̃n̴͉̠̩̉̽̀̒̚͝w̵̫̗̣͑̑̀͝ứ̵̰̝̈́̑͝ǘ̶̦͙͓͚̌̈́͂͘ ̵̧̙͕́͒́͜͜͝f̴͕̥̬̺̀̅͋̾̚ͅş̷̯̮̹̳̥̋́͋̇ ̵̬̈́̔̎̂q̸̨͙̑͛̈́͗̉p̸̺̦̖͓͗̉̌̔͛ ̷̝̯͕̪̈́̆̾͋͜w̷̛͎̉͌̅͘͝p̴̫̹̥̭̩̖͗̑͋̀̚͝s̶̼͎̆̔̋͋v̵̨̪̳̽͜ͅk̷̡̦͂̏̈́͌r̷̟̜̹̯̻̄̈ ̷̢̡̢̠̲́͒̓͆̂͜ṁ̸̡͈͍̤͈́͆͑̌̚f̵̠̰́̀͗̒̍̌a̵͙͊͂͑͐̿q̸̡̲̜̰̥̮́̌͛̓͌̚ ̵̬̫̠͙́̈̓̆̆b̴̛̪̱̆̊ͅj̸͚̑̅ ̶̘̻͓̣̂͂̽́s̶̛̭͈̖͈͔w̷̧̯͎̞͍̩̓͂͒̇̈́f̸̡̲̥͎̄ͅ ̵̛̰͍͙̉̾͆̍t̶̛̠̫̬̮k̵̝̱̬̟̯͂͋f̵̗̺͇̦͍̐̈̔ͅz̷̢̹̍̈́̐c̴̨̤̗̥̋͆z̴̻̞̣̼̮̈͊͂̈̅e̸̞͛ā̵̯͚̗̀̓̒ ̴̹̟͊̃͑s̸̢̭̪̓̿͒͠ͅi̷̧̥̺̦̮̬̎̅͊l̵̎͋̑ͅḑ̶͎̳̮͆́̑̎̂.̶̢̖̠̉̏̋̈̈͘

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[symbiotic-science]

Coral reefs worldwide are threatened by a variety of human impacts. Fishing is among the most pressing threats to reefs, because it occurs on most reef systems and fundamentally alters food webs. Meanwhile, observing coral reefs, particularly remote, hard-to-access locations such as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), remains notoriously difficult and expensive. But a University of Hawai'i (UH) at Mānoa researcher and her collaborators may have found a mysterious natural phenomenon that can help us observe coral reef health from space.

Patches of coral reefare often surrounded by very large 'halos' of bare sand that are hundreds to thousands of square meters. Beyond these halos lie lush meadows of seagrass or algae. Two recently published studies and a third feature story led by Elizabeth Madin, assistant research professor at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) in the UH at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, shed light on these enigmatic features that are visible from space.

Scientists have observed reef halos for decades and explained their presence as the result of fish and invertebrates, who typically hide in a patch of coral, venturing out to eat algae and seagrass that cover the surrounding seabed. But the fear of predators keeping these smaller animals close to safety has long been thought to explain why the cleared area is circular. Madin's recent work reveals there is more to the story, and further that these features may be useful in observing aspects of reef ecosystem health from space.

In one of Madin's new studies, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, her team of scientists found that no-take marine reserves, where fishing is prohibited, dramatically shape these seascape-scale vegetation patterns in coral reef ecosystems, influencing the occurrence of the prominent 'halo' pattern. This means that marine reserves may have even greater impacts on coral reef seascapes than previously known.

#science #sciblr #scienceblr #biology #coral reefs

[oneoceandiving]

#Repost from @oneoceanresearch of two Galapagos sharks, one of the primary species we see on our tours. This species was originally discovered in the Galápagos Islands before it was known that they actually had a much wider distribution. Come out with us to learn more! ______________ #Repost @oneoceanresearch ・・・ Galapagos shark #Cgalapagensis are known to be largest in Hawaiian waters. Perhaps that is what it took for these indoPacific voyagers to make it to the Hawaiian Archipelago in the first place. The Galapagos shark is common along oceanic islands in the Pacific; Galápagos Islands (for which they are named), Revillagigedos Islands, Islands of Cocos, and the Hawaiian archipelago. Unlike the fore mentioned coastal islands, Hawai’i truly encompasses over 1500 miles of reef islands and atolls that extends to Kure and Midway in the Northwest #pmnm #nwhi #islandpassage #galaps photo @nate_smith_ #HelpSaveSharks @oneoceandiving |follow our friend @oneoceansharks to meet individuals like these pictured here: #Gillpocket moving up out of the way Queen #MsAloha parading her leaf 🍂 #sharkID ______________ Want to learn more? Check us out at OneOceanDiving.com & JOIN US in the water  in #Hawaii on #Oahu’s #NorthShore to #SwimWithSharks and #DiveWithSharksInHawaii with a @OneOceanDiving trained #MarineBiologist / #SharkSafetyDiver #HelpSaveSharks #savesharks #itstheirocean #apexpredatornotmonster #finbannow #stopfinning Check out our #Shark and #MarineResearch @OneOceanResearch and our #Education outreach program @OneOceanEducation #LearnAboutSharks and our Non-Profit @WaterInspired conservation group and Founders: @Juansharks and @oceanramsey Want to join the team? Become a @OneOceanGlobal Ambassador Looking to support in other ways? Check out our not-for-profit marine conservation awareness apparel and gifts @OneOceanDesigns or at www.Oneoceandesigns.com Mahalo and Thank you for Supporting #InternationalSharkProject #HawaiiSharkCount #SharkResearch #Ocean #OneOcean #SaveTheOcean #SaveSharks #HelpSaveSharks #OceanConservation #SharkConservation #ApexPredatorNotMonster

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[usfwspacific]

Never The Same, Never Boring

A day in the life of a U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway Memorial

Volunteers and interns on the beach at Midway Atoll

By Kaitlyn Jacobs, a Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Biological Volunteer

On Midway Atoll, the only constant is waking up to the sounds of the sea and birds right outside your window.  

In one week a volunteer will survey albatross chicks and endangered Laysan ducks, remove mass amounts of invasive plants from around the island, and clean up the marine debris invading our beaches. But even with the important weekly duties performed by our volunteer crew, there is always time to share this amazing island with others who want to help conserve it.  

Volunteers and interns on Midway Atoll

Recently, the team on Midway Atoll hosted a service trip for nine KUPU interns that were interested in the conservation on the island.  The interns were immersed in what the volunteers here experience every day, restoration sites that have come a long way, historical landmarks that give the island its unique background.

Spring/Summer 2018 volunteers from left to right: Laura Howland, Jake Egelhoff, Kaitlyn Jacobs, Joey Latsha (KUPU), and Elaine Beaudoin.

Along with our volunteers, the interns assisted an outplanting at one of our restoration sites on island, and over four hundred plants were put into the ground in a span of less than an hour.  Outplantings are one of the most rewarding things the volunteers do here, because you can see the difference you’re making on a piece of land.  Within the time that our volunteers are on island, they can watch as the evil nightshade disappears, and growth of plants like kāwelu, ʻīlima, and naupaka increase the chances for resurrection of the land and a new habitat for the animals. If a day in the life of Midway is anything, it is definitely rewarding.

Midway Atoll - An Ecological Marvel

Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is located about 1,200 miles northwest of Honolulu within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM), in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).   Over three million birds, encompassing 29 different species, nest or winter on Midway Atoll’s three islands and all of them are susceptible to predation by mice.

Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles and spinner dolphins frequent Midway’s crystal blue lagoon encircled by coral, and the atoll is home to the largest albatross colony in the world and is the most important and successful breeding ground for Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) and Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis).

Apply to become a volunteer on Midway Atoll.

Want to read more about Midway? 

A Laysan Lovesong

MIdway Atoll: Restoring an Ecological Gem

A Future to Count on for Albatross at Midway NWR

Discovering Midway’s Cultural History

War and Peace at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial

Wisdom, the World’s Oldest Known, Banded Wild Bird has a new chick!

#Midway Atoll #volunteer #kupu #Pacific Ocean #conservation #conservation biology #community service #US Fish and Wildlife #USFWS

[coinsdresssanskritbooksstamps]

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[noaasanctuaries]

On September 22, the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s Marine Debris Project team, joined by Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project, marked the completion of their marine debris removal mission in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The team arrived at Pearl Harbor aboard the charter vessel IMUA along with the nearly 124,000 pounds of marine debris removed during the 30-day mission. Read the full story: https://blog.marinedebris.noaa.gov/mission-malama-through-marine-debris-removal. (Photo: NOAA. Image description: The marine debris team with the nearly 124,000 pounds of debris removed from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.)

#EarthIsBlue #MarineDebris #Monument #MPA #Debris #Conservation #Stewardship #Hawaii #HI #NWHI #Papahānaumokuākea

[thebiotechtimes-blog]

Can we solve the riddle of the coral reef halos?

Can we solve the riddle of the coral reef halos?

Credit: Copyright: CNES/Airbus; DigitalGlobe. 

Coral reefs worldwide are threatened by a variety of human impacts. Fishing is among the most pressing threats to reefs, because it occurs on most reef systems and fundamentally alters food webs. Meanwhile, observing coral reefs, particularly remote, hard-to-access locations such as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), remains notoriously…

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#Academia #Biodiversity #Biology #Developmental/Reproductive Biology #Ecology/Environment #Health #Marine/Freshwater Biology #Microbiology #Oceanography #Population Biology #safety

[mingulay]

rules go different in the nwhi

[adalidda]

Illustration Photo: UAS Project Lead Todd Jacobs (kneeling) and Puma operator LTJG Tanner Sims prepare to launch the Puma at French Frigate Shoals. From June 16-23, 2014, scientists conducted research in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) using a Puma Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) deployed from NOAA Ship Hiʻialakai. Researchers from NOAA and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service used the system to perform surveys of monk seals, sea turtles, sea birds and vegetation and to look for marine debris in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. (Public domain)

Call for Proposals: Conservation Technologies Programme

National Geographic Society is seeking proposals for its Conservation Technologies Programme to advance breakthrough technologies that can scale National Geographic’s efforts to explore, visualize, understand, and ultimately protect the planet.

Priority will be given to projects that use technology to do one or more of the following:

Develop tools or capabilities needed to generate new data and insights on biodiversity distribution, patterns, and trends Inform where future protected areas should be prioritized Support integrated multi-sensor monitoring systems for the natural world (including land and ocean), and cultural heritage. Advance surveillance/alarm systems for protected areas (natural and cultural) by providing real-time, local-to-global, situational awareness

Dateline for submission: 4 April 2018

Check more https://adalidda.com/posts/boWSdrqdqK4r4GHd5/call-for-proposals-conservation-technologies-programme

[essaywritingcompanies1-blog]

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[fullofevents]

New Event has been published on http://fullofevents.com/hawaii/event/sea-talk-coral-reef-research-in-the-papahanaumokuakea-monument-2/

Sea Talk: Coral Reef Research in the Papahanaumokuakea Monument

Join us for our upcoming Sea Talk presented by Dr. Randy KosakI, a coral reef fish ecologist with NOAA’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. His research is primarily focused on the remote reefs of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but has taken him to numerous localities across the tropical Pacific.

At 582,578 square miles, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument encompases the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), and is one of the largest marine protected areas on Earth. While most of the exploration and research in Papahānaumokuākea has focused on its shallow, sunlit coral reefs, a new frontier for exploration is found at depths beyond the realm of conventional SCUBA gear. Using helium/oxygen/nitrogen gas mixes and closed-circuit rebreathers, scientists are now probing the mesophotic coral ecosystems (deep coral reefs) of the NWHI. This so-called “coral reef twilight zone” is yielding high levels of unique Hawaiian species, as well as species that are completely new to science.

Sea Talks are held in the Open Ocean Exhibit. Admission is FREE and open to the public. Seating is limited. Reservations are recommended, please call [phone].

#hawaii #events #fullofevents