An Allied tanker, Dixie Arrow was sunk in 1942 by a German U-boat. Today, Dixie Arrow rests in 90 feet of water off the coast of North Carolina. This is one wreck that could be protected by an expanded Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
(Photo: Joe Hoyt/NOAA)
Now roughly 66 years old (and counting), this incredible Laysan albatross was sighted earlier this month incubating an egg at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Her mate, Akeakamai, is likely off foraging within the 200-mile boundary of the newly-expanded monument. Stay tuned this winter for more Wisdom updates!
(Photo: Kristina McOmber/Kupu Conservation Leadership Program & USFWS)
Located off the coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary works closely with four indigenous communities: the Quinault Indian Nation and the Hoh, Makah, and Quileute tribes. These communities have forged inseparable ties to the ocean environment, maintaining traditions of the past while they navigate the challenges of the present.
Razor clams are an important resource for the Quinault Indian Nation. Historically, razor clams provided sustenance and served as trade items; today, annual razor clam digs help supplement Quinault income.
The only U.S. national marine sanctuary located in the Southern Hemisphere, National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa protects extensive tropical coral reefs. The sanctuary’s six management areas encompass some of the oldest and largest Porites coral heads in the world, deep water reefs, hydrothermal vent communities, and rare marine archaeological resources.
(Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA)
And while these structures may look like large, permanent barriers, sand dunes actually change shape and size over time, constantly molded and shaped by incoming tides – like clay at a potter’s wheel. To help maintain these structures and extend protection for shorelines, we can all work to avoid damaging these structures on walks along the beach. By avoiding stepping on dunes, we can prevent degradation of the dunes and allow them to build over time. Plus, doing so helps maintain the aesthetic beauty of these structures for all to enjoy!
(Photo: Margaret Lindgren)
Located off the coast of Cape Cod, each summer the rich waters of Stellwagen Bank fill up with small fish called sand lance. With that feast in store, whales like this humpback whale come calling! This makes Stellwagen Bank one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. Have you visited the sanctuary and gotten a chance to go whale watching?
(Photo: Richard Dolan)
Located off Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and bordering Olympic National Park, this ocean gem protects seabirds like tufted puffins and bald eagles, as well as marine mammals like sea lions and orcas.
(Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA)
The Hawaiian monk seal may have colonized the Hawaiian Islands as early as 10 million years ago, but today this seal is one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, with only about 1300 remaining in the wild.
Most Hawaiian monk seals now live in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, but some live in the main Hawaiian Islands, including in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Young Hawaiian monk seals sometimes become entangled in plastic debris and derelict fishing nets and can drown – so one of the best things you can do to help these endangered seals is to reduce the amount of single-use plastic you utilize and to participate in a beach cleanup near you!
(Photo: Ed Lyman/NOAA)
I SAW ONE LAST WEEK HAULED OUT ON MAUI!!!!!!!!
Aw, yay! If you see a Hawaiian monk seal hauled out on a beach, please let NOAA Fisheries know! (Also, as with any marine mammal, always give it lots of space.) NOAA Fisheries tracks the monk seal population so it’s helpful for them to know where Hawaiian monk seals are hanging out.
If the seal is hooked, entangled, or injured, please call:
(888) 256-9840
If the seal is uninjured, email:
pifsc.monksealsighting@noaa.gov
or call:
Oahu: 220-7802
Kauai: (808) 651-7668
Molokai: (808) 553-5555
Maui/Lanai: (808) 292-2372
Island of Hawaii:
East: (808) 756-5961
West: (808) 987-0765
Learn more about NOAA Fisheries’ work with Hawaiian monk seals and viewing guidelines here.
This variation in color and pattern has made them difficult for scientists to classify at times, but makes them quite the festive sight on the reef. This spectacled parrotfish (uhu uliuli in Hawaiian) was spotted at Midway Atoll in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, an area home to more than 250 species of fish.
(Photo: James Watt/NOAA)
The Carysfort Lighthouse marks a large shallow reef system off of Key Largo, an excellent snorkeling spot for visitors to the area.
(Photo: Nancy Diersing/NOAA)
