Division of Aquatic Resources

Jake and Heather aboard the ship.

In September 2024, two Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) biologists, Heather Ylitalo-Ward and Jake Reichard, embarked on a 24-day research cruise with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). The research goals of this cruise were to conduct fish and habitat, mesophotic, and nuisance algae surveys. These surveys occurred around Ni‘ihau, Lalo (French Frigate Shoals), Kamole (Laysan Island), Kapou (Lisianski Island), Manawai (Pearl & Hermes Atoll), and Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll). Collecting all this data helped contribute to the long-term monitoring dataset in the PMNM that can be used when making management decisions.

The continued collaboration to manage PMNM between DAR and NOAA ONMS allowed Heather and Jake to participate in the fish and habitat research team. The team was led by Dr. Chelsie Counsell from NOAA ONMS.  Other members of the team included Alexa Gonzalez (NOAA ONMS), Sydney Luitgaarden (NOAA ONMS), Jason Leonard (NOAA ONMS), Makoa Pascoe (UH Hilo), Pearl Thompson (UH Manoa), and Aralyn Hacker (UH Hilo). During the duration of the cruise, there were 15 field operation days. A typical field day started at 6:00 am and returned to the ship at 4:30 pm. On average, the team would carry out 4 to 6 dives daily. After the dives, the team would wash off dive gear, enter fish data, upload photos, and prep for the next day’s operations, making the day end around 9:30 pm.

The fish and habitat team used the Stationary Point Count (SPC) and Structure from Motion (SfM) survey methodology to collect fish and benthic data at depths between 6 feet and 100 feet. The SPC method involved first laying out a 30-meter transect, then two divers positioned themselves on the transect to count and size all the fish visible within a 15-meter cylinder. These fish surveys would take approximately 20 minutes. After the fish surveys, the SfM photos were taken along the transect so that a 3D photomosaic model could be generated to assess coral health.

Jake surrounded by fish. Photo: A. Hacker

This research cruise has been Jake’s dream since attending UH Manoa 7 years ago. He thought it was a privilege to participate in the ongoing research in one of the most unique places in the world. While diving in PMNM, he mentioned the apex predators’ prevalence and curiosity. “I have never seen sharks show such a strong interest in divers before and consistently circle us,” he remarked. “My biggest excitement was seeing rare fish you normally don’t see in the Main Hawaiian Islands, like the Masked Angelfish!”. 

Heather was also grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this research cruise and mentioned that “even in the areas where at first glance, it might not seem particularly interesting, there would be exciting juvenile fish I’ve never seen before in the Main Hawaiian Islands!”

Shark surrounded by rainbow runners offshore of Manawai. Photo: J. Reichard

In December 2020, Congress directed NOAA to initiate the sanctuary designation process, which does not change the status of the monument but would provide additional protections and resources for Papahānaumokuākea. Co-managers NOAA ONMS and DAR, continuing their cooperative management efforts, are co-leading the sanctuary designation process of the marine areas of Papahānaumokuākea. This process includes a joint National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Hawaii Environmental Policy Act (HEPA) Environmental Impact Statement. Please visit the DAR PMNM webpage to learn more about Papahānaumokuākea and the ongoing sanctuary designation process.