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Republic of the Marshall Islands



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Republic of the Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is a collection of 1,225 islands and islets of which only five are single islands. The rest are grouped into 29 coral atolls and five solitary low coral islands, which together make up more than 10 percent of all the atolls in the world. They lie in two parallel chains known as sunrise (Ratak) and sunset (Ralik). They are narrow and low and encircle large central lagoon.

The Marshall Islands are spread out over an exclusive economic zone of nearly 1 million square miles. It is one of only four atoll nations in the world and is also one of the world’s youngest nations, independent since 1986. Majuro atoll, capital of the Marshall Islands, is the most developed atoll with a thriving commercial and political center and a population of nearly 30,000. The Marshall’s Kwajalein Atoll is the largest atoll in the world.

In general, the reefs of the Marshall Islands are in good condition and have experienced minimal damage from bleaching, destructive fishing techniques, and sedimentation. Even those in the former nuclear test sites have shown remarkable recovery. However, there is some evidence of unsustainable resource exploitation. For example, the largest giant clams have been harvested and the current take of grouper, reef shark, and Napoleon wrasse may not be sustainable. The reefs near the urban areas of Majuro are stressed, but still have an abundance of fishes and invertebrates. Localized outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, and coral disease were observed around Majuro in 2005.

Satellite of the Republic of the Marshall Islands

State of the Reefs Reports (SOTR)

The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2008.

The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005.

Metadata, Data and Publications search in CoRIS

Search the CoRIS Library for Marshall Islands metadata, data and publications, or enter the name of any of its components, such as "Kwajalein Atoll", in the CoRIS Library Quick Search field and press the "Submit" button.

ReefBase Coral Bleaching Reports

Select “Micronesia” in the Region window and “Marshall Islands” in the Country window

Other data and information

Weatherbase

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Status of Pacific Island Coral Reef fisheries

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