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
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ReefBase Coral Bleaching Reports
Select “Micronesia” in the Region window and “Marshall Islands” in the Country window
Other data and information
Weatherbase
Coastal Statistics
Status of Pacific Island Coral Reef fisheries
Regional Perspectives Pacific Ocean
Near-real-time Data
Weather forecast
Weather observations
Current time in the Marshall Islands
Current Weather Conditions
Coralwatch Coral Bleaching Indices
Coral Reef Watch Satellite Coral Bleaching Monitoring
Key Documents
Environmental Issues in the Marshall Islands
Executive orders, Secretarial Orders, and Congressional Acts
Micronesia Coral Reef Initiative
ICRAN Strategic Plan
Education and Outreach
The Marshall Islands: A Brief history
Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
U.S. State Department Notes
BBC News: Country Profile. Republic of the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands Visitors Authority
CIA World Fact Book – Marshall Islands
U.S. Department of State Background Note
UN System-Wide Earthwatch - Island Directory
Plants and Environments of the Marshall Islands
Bikini Atoll
Bikini Atoll – Reference Facts
History, Geography, and Statistics of the Marshall Islands (Multiple sources)
Internet Resources on the Marshall Islands Selected by the Library of Congress
Marshall Islands - 2007. General Historical and Contemporary Information
Marshall Islands Environmental Awareness
Marine Protected Areas/ Marine Managed Areas
National Marine Fisheries Service Inventory of Marine Managed Areas
Report on the Status of Marine Protected Areas in Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States. Volume 1: Marine Protected Areas Managed by U.S. States, Territories, and Commonwealths. NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 2 February 2007
Marine Protected Areas of the United States Home Page
The Marine Protected Areas Inventory
Federal MPA Legislation
Marine Federal Areas Fact Sheet
Executive order 13158: Marine Protected Areas
MPA Virtual Library
Biodiversity and Protected Areas-- Marshall Islands
Jaluit Atoll Marine Conservation Area (JAMCA)
UNEP Islands Web Site
http://islands.unep.ch/CLL.htm
Marshall Islands Ailinginae
Marshall Islands Ailinglaplap
Marshall Islands Ailuk
Marshall Islands Arno
Marshall Islands Aur
Marshall Islands Bikar
Marshall Islands Bikini
Marshall Islands Bokaak
Marshall Islands Ebon
Marshall Islands Enewetak
Marshall Islands Erikub
Marshall Islands Jabwot
Marshall Islands Jaluit
Marshall Islands Jemo
Marshall Islands Kili
Marshall Islands Knox
Marshall Islands Kwajalein
Marshall Islands Lae
Marshall Islands Lib
Marshall Islands Likiep
Marshall Islands Majuro
Marshall Islands Maloelap
Marshall Islands Mejit
Marshall Islands Mili
Marshall Islands Namorik
Marshall Islands Namu
Marshall Islands Rongelap
Marshall Islands Rongrik
Marshall Islands Taka
Marshall Islands Ujae
Marshall Islands Ujelang
Marshall Islands Utrik
Marshall Islands Wotho
Marshall Islands Wotje
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