PRESIDENT SETS ASIDE LARGEST MARINE CONSERVATION AREA ON EARTH
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument Encompasses Nearly 140,000 Square Miles

June 15, 2006 —

NOAA PHOTOS Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Please credit “NOAA” in your Chyron or in print.
White spotted hermit crab in a conch shell. (Larger || High Res.)	Mokumanamana is the second island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands chain and is roughly 460 miles from Honolulu. (Larger || High Res.)
White tip reef shark under a ledge in the reserve. Sharks and other large fish are common on most reefs throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, one of the few marine ecosystems remaining on the planet still dominated by apex predators. (Larger || High Res.)	The guano coated peaks of Gardner Pinnacles can be seen from the nearby waters of the reserve. (Larger || High Res.)
Masked boobies discuss the day's events while resting on some marine debris. (Larger || High Res.)	Great frigate bird (Larger || High Res.)
Juvenile Red-footed Booby, some of the wildlife seen on the reserve. (Larger || High Res.)	Acropora coral is found in abundance in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. (Larger || High Res.)

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and marine resources.

Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, 61 countries and the European Commission to develop a global network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve

Maps of the Reserve

NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program

NOAA Is Committed to Preserving the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Media Contact:
Ben Sherman, NOAA Ocean Service, (301) 713-3066
(Photos courtesy of Andy Collins, NOAA Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve.)