Division of Aquatic Resources

In July, two Division of Aquatic Resources biologists, Kimberly Fuller and Heather Ylitalo-Ward, set off on a 23-day research expedition to study Chondria tumulosa, a nuisance alga. First discovered in 2016, on Holoikauaua (Pearl and Hermes Atoll), Chondria destroys reefs by growing in a mat formation and smothering coral. On this recent trip, Chondria was newly recorded at Hōlanikū, or Kure Atoll. The mission of the trip was to record and gather data on Chondria and other species present in Papahānaumokuākea.

Daily activities for the Chondria-specific team included preparing diving gear, launching small boats, diving and snorkeling to collect data on the mat depth and abundance of Chondria tumulosa.

Kimberly Fuller collaborated with Brian Hauk (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (NOAA PMNM)), Keo Lopes (NOAA PMNM), Heather Spalding (College of Charleston (COFC)), Ian Rolfe (COFC), and Taylor Williams (University of Alabama) with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  The team collected samples and data to understand the distribution, spectral properties, nutrient association, and population genetics of the nuisance alga, Chondria tumulosa. The team also investigated current Chondria tumulosa biosecurity protocols and their efficacy. Both of the DAR biologists also learned how to identify the nuisance alga in preparation for any rapid response that could be necessary for the Main Hawaiian Islands should Chondria tumulosa be found there.

Photo by Brian Hauk, NOAA

This was the first time in many years that DAR has participated in a research cruise in Papahānaumokuākea. Kimberly Fuller recounted her excitement over viewing the red alga Dudresnaya. Her colleague Heather Spalding told her that the native red alga was one of the favorites of Isabella Abbott, the first native Hawaiian to get her Ph.D. in science, known as the “lady of limu.” Spalding was her student. Gaining generational limu mentorship during the cruise was very rewarding for Kimberly. While Heather Ylitalo-Ward was more focused on the fish during this cruise, she was also excited to be introduced to the wonderful world of algae from the experts on the ship.

Reef covered with Chondria

Noting the differences between the Main Hawaiian Islands and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Fuller was in awe.“The robust fish and coral populations in areas not as impacted by Chondria tumulosa were astounding to me,” she said. “Throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands, there are differences in freshwater, estuarine, and marine species even between watersheds and islands, but the Northwest Hawaiian Islands have marine species that I have never seen before in my life. I felt very blessed to see the native limu species.”

The fish and habitat research team consisted of Heather Ylitalo-Ward, DAR Aquatic Biologist, and Chelsie Counsell, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) Research Supervisor. Daily activities for the fish and habitat team included readying tanks and gear, loading the boats and then heading out to dive around the Atolls. The team conducted stationary point count (SPC) dives at depths between 50 and 60 feet to study fish populations and habitat type in areas with low, mid, and high Chondria cover. The team laid out a 30 meter transect then counted and sized all the fish visible within a 15 meter cylinder. Chelsie Counsell would conduct a structure from motion (SFM) survey where she took hundreds of photos of a 15 x 6 meter area to give the team an idea of what the structure of the habitat looked like a that site.

The fish and habitat survey team did 4 or 5 dives a day, returned to the boat at 4:30, washed off dive gear, entered fish data, uploaded photos, then got ready to do it all again the next day! In total, the two-person team completed 47 dives in 11 dive operation days and counted over 14,000 fish.

Photo by Chelsie Counsell, NOAA

This trip had been a dream for Ylitalo-Ward, who had wanted to dive in Papahānaumokuākea since she was in graduate school 10 years ago. She felt incredibly privileged to join the team to study the abundance of algae in the culturally, biologically and ecologically important Monument. As she recounted her time diving in Papahānaumokuākea, she was struck by the sharks and ulua. “The ulua were so curious and even aggressive at times, biting at our reels and dive float line,” she remarked. “I saw fish species I have never seen before in the Main Hawaiian Islands, and I was so thrilled by every moment I got to be underwater experiencing it all.”

In December 2020, Congress directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to initiate the sanctuary designation process, which does not change the status of the monument. Co-managers NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) and DAR are leading the sanctuary designation process of the marine areas of Papahānaumokuākea which will include a joint National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Hawaii Environmental Policy Act (HEPA) Environmental Impact Statement. Please visit our webpage to learn more about Papahānaumokuākea and the sanctuary designation process.