Past Releases

2008 Releases

Join our 2008 Educators Expedition to Nihoa, Mokumanamana and French Frigate Shoals
Visit the educator's blog!
(you will be re-directed to a non-NOAA server)

Particularly Sensitive Sea Area - PSSA
The fragile and unique marine ecosystems of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands encompassed by the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument will receive additional protection under a new internationally recognized designation announced April 4, 2008 by NOAA.The designation, which was finalized on April 3 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), declares the waters of the monument a “Particularly Sensitive Sea Area” (PSSA). The designation puts into effect internationally recognized measures designed to protect marine resources of ecological or cultural significance from damage by ships while helping keep mariners safe.

• Press Release
• PSSA FAQ
• Link to NOAA's release
• Link to the IMO
  (you will be directed to a non-NOAA web site)

Finding Marine Debris
The NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette is taking part in a 17-day Marine Debris research cruise from March 24 to April 9, 2008. The crew begins at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, then moves to an area north of Hawaii called the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone. Check out the crew's blog!

Archipelago Exhibition
The exhibition of 40 dramatic large-format photographs taken by the award-winning team of Susan Middleton and David Liittschwager, are now on display at the Kaua‘i Museum, from November 12, 2007 through May 9, 2008.

Learn more by clicking here.Visit the Kaua‘i Museum's website by clicking here.
(you will be sent to a non-NOAA server)

One Year Anniversary
The Monument Celebrates
Just over one year ago, on June 15, 2006, President Bush signed a proclamation that created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument.

65th Anniversary
of the Battle of Midway
Commemoration Ceremony, 4 June 2007

State of the Sanctuary Report 2006
click here to download
Learn about the presidential designation of the monument, recent science cruises and more.

Our Sea of Islands
A Regional Forum for Oceania on Marine Managed Areas and World Heritage

July 07, 2008
Draft Monument Management Plan; Extension of Public Comment Period

2007 Releases

November 01, 2007
Natural Resource Science Plan Scoping Meeting

September 14, 2007
Wintering humpback whales in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

September 10, 2007
Acoustic monitoring of apex predators - sharks!

August 22, 2007
NOAAs Endangered Monk Seal Recovery Plan

August 21, 2007
Monument's First Federal Enforcement Case

July 30, 2007
Expedition yields groundbreaking data: deep-sea photographs

June 15, 2007
The Monument Celebrates its First Year Anniversary

January 23, 2007
International Forum on Oceania to be Held in Honolulu

2006 Releases

June 15, 2006
President Bush signed a proclamation that created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument.

2004 Releases

April 15, 2004
Media Advisory - Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council meeting scheduled for April 29.

March 18, 2004
NOAA’s Reserve Draft Operations Plan for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem available for public comment.

2003 Releases

September 25, 2003
NOAA announces new members, alternates for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council.

May 28, 2003
NOAA Opens New Coral Reef Discovery Center in Downtown Hilo.

May 19, 2003
Scientists Lay Groundwork for a Regional Action Plan for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

March 5, 2003
NOAA Releases First Ever Detailed Maps of Coral Reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

2002 Releases

March 26, 2002
NOAA Holds Meetings to Discuss Creating Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Sanctuary.

March 15, 2002
NOAA Moves to Strengthen Protections for Northwestern Hawaiian Islands; Ocean Agency Unveils Four Actions to Protect Corals, Designate Reserve as National Marine Sanctuary.

2001 Releases

January 31, 2001
Final Actions on Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve Announced.

January 29, 2001
U.S. Commerce Department Announces Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve Council.