NOAA Designates Critical Coral Habitat as Fish Survey Yields Promising Results

NOAA designates critical coral habitat as fish survey yields promising results

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has designated new critical habitat protections for threatened coral species in the Mariana Islands while continuing groundbreaking collaborative research with local fishermen that is already providing valuable insights into the region's fish populations.

NOAA chief scientist reviews coral reef monitoring cruise in Marianas

Every morning for 75 days, just after sunrise, small boats launched from the NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette. Divers zipped across open ocean, dropped into turquoise water and sank into silence — notebooks ready, cameras clicking, eyes scanning for coral and fish.