2026 Pacific Coral Surveys Complete
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov.
NOAA scientists returned from American Samoa and the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument after conducting coral reef monitoring surveys. The team sailed south from Honolulu to Jarvis Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Kingman Reef, where they completed their suite of surveys. After a 2,000 kilometer transit down to American Samoa, they visited the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, Olosega, Tau, Swains, and Rose atoll. On the way back to Honolulu, scientists stopped at Howland and Baker Islands to wrap up their surveys in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument.
To better understand these coral reef ecosystems, scientists:
- Counted fish
- Photographed coral
- Collected water samples
- Swapped out oceanographic instruments
- Collected juvenile fish
You can revisit their journey through an interactive StoryMap.
During the day, scientists scuba dived to assess coral reef health and ocean conditions. They completed:
- 1,006 scuba dives
- 440 fish surveys
- 420 photomosaic surveys that will become 3D models of coral reefs
- 550 photoquadrat benthic surveys
- 261 water samples
- 110 temperature recorders deployments (108 recovered)
- 110 calcification units deployments (124 recovered)
- 60 bioerosion units deployments (43 recovered)
- 21 carbonate budget surveys
- 2 Diel instrument suites deployments
By the moonlight, they investigated the pelagic ecosystem by sampling for fish larvae, or juvenile fish. They conducted 139 tows for juvenile fish.
While in port in Tutuila, the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette held an outreach event for middle school and high school students. Students learned about survey methods, survey equipment, and larval samples. Divers also showcased safety gear, including the dive chamber. There were 108 participants from seven schools, who received 3 hours of learning and exploration.
Read the full article here: 2026 Pacific Coral Surveys Complete
Originally published on 15 September, 2026.
