Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

While exploring at depths of over 4,000 meters northeast of Necker Island in the Hawaiian Archipelago, Deep Discoverer encountered this ghostlike octopod, which is almost certainly an undescribed species and may not belong to any described genus. Photo: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER), Hohonu Moana 2016.

Location and Size

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is the single largest fully protected conservation area in the United States, and one of the largest marine protected areas in the world. It encompasses 582,578 square miles (1,508,870 square kilometers) of the Pacific Ocean.

It’s located in the Northwestern region of the Hawaiian Archipelago roughly 3,000 miles from the nearest continental land mass.

Management

Established by Presidential Proclamation in 2006 and expanded through Presidential Proclamation in 2016, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is administered jointly by four co-trustees:

• The Department of Commerce through NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office
• The Department of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Region National Wildlife Refuge System and Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office
• The State of Hawaiʻi through the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources and Division of Forestry and Wildlife
• The Office of Hawaiian Affairs

The Monument comprises several previously existing federal conservation areas, including the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial, Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Refuge, and the State Wildlife Sanctuary at Kure Atoll.

In July 2010, Papahānaumokuākea was designated as the United States’ first mixed (natural and cultural) World Heritage site, further demonstrating the global significance of this important place.

Unique Features

The diverse ecosystem contained within the Monument is home to a wide variety of species, approximately 25 percent of which are Hawaiian endemics, found nowhere else on Earth. It's also a critically important nesting ground for the green sea turtle and breeding ground for the Hawaiian monk seal.

The Monument protects 3.5 million acres of coral reef — 70 percent of the total coral reef area in the United States — where sharks and large fish like ulua (trevally jack) still dominate. It is one of the last apex predator–dominated coral reef ecosystems in the world. 

Over 90 percent of the Monument’s area includes depths greater than 3,000 feet (914 meters). These dark habitats host unique ecosystems and creatures, such as Hawaiian sleeper sharks and Hawaiian gold corals, some of which are thousands of years old. 

The Monument's terrestrial environment is home to over 14 million seabirds representing 22 species, including the largest colonies of Laysan and black-footed albatross in the world. It is also home to the oldest known bird in the wild, a Laysan albatross known as "Wisdom" who is at least 67 years old and still rearing chicks.

Additionally, the Monument may contain as many as 60 shipwreck sites, the earliest of which dates back to 1818, and at least 61 aircraft sites. 

Looking to the Future

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument faces numerous threats, the most significant of which are invasive alien species, marine debris, and impacts from human-accelerated global climate change, such as coral bleaching, sea level rise, and ocean acidification. 

Introduced alien species have caused the loss of native terrestrial species and continue to threaten native wildlife. Each year, 50 tons of marine debris drift into Monument waters from elsewhere — plastic debris is often ingested by wildlife, while derelict fishing gear damage coral and entangle wildlife. 

This member of the family Ophidiidae was seen cruising near the bottom north of Pioneer Bank in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Photo: NOAA OER, Hohonu Moana 2016.

Coral bleaching due to climate change has turned once-thriving reefs into algae-covered wastelands, while rising sea levels are endangering low-lying habitats vital for green sea turtles, seabirds, and Hawaiian monk seals. 

Only increased awareness and behavioral changes from individuals and businesses will bring relief to these stressors facing not only the Monument, but also the planet we all live on.

Monument status ensures that the unique ecological, historical, scientific, educational, and cultural resources contained within remain a national priority for protection and research. It also provides international, national, and local recognition of an area of special significance.

More Information

• Marine National Monuments in the Pacific
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Convention List
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge
• The Office of Hawaiian Affairs