Home > Species > Marine SPECIES - MARINE Moray Eel - Photo: C Swenson MARINE SURVEY STRATEGY FOR HAWAII’S OFFSHORE ISLETS The Offshore Islet Restoration Committee (OIRC) is working with partners to plan and conduct marine biological surveys in high priority areas around Hawaii offshore islets. However, no final survey reports are currently available. Marine survey efforts are lagging since the initial OIRC focus was on terrestrial resources. However, it quickly became evident that information on marine species and habitats is needed in order to adequately describe and manage islet ecosystems. Land and sea are tied together, as seen in the reliance of nesting seabirds and their chicks on the fish and other organisms they catch in the ocean. Seabirds in turn fertilize the land by depositing guano in the nesting colonies. The basic OIRC marine survey strategy is to target rapid ecological assessments in marine areas most likely to support undisturbed or unique habitats. More in-depth surveys will be focused on the best areas identified during the rapid ecological assessments. Some of the rapid surveys have already been completed but results are not yet available. The same isolation and inaccessibility that has shielded the islets’ terrestrial resources from human influence also serves to protect their nearshore marine areas from overfishing and aquarium collecting. Strong currents, heavy surf, and long distances from harbors and boat ramps provide natural protections. In addition, boat traffic around Kaula, Moku Manu, and the Kahoolawe islets is restricted by exclusionary zones enforced by the military and management agencies. Molokini and Puu Pehe are protected within Marine Life Conservation Districts. Divers fortunate enough to see these areas say that they often have healthy invertebrate and fish populations, including top predators like sharks that are increasingly rare around the main islands. The OIRC hopes to use the islet marine survey results to identify particularly valuable habitats and to work with management agencies to conserve the lands and surrounding waters of offshore islets as integrated ecological units. All three of the species shown below are indigenous to Hawaii. This means that they are native to Hawaii but are also found elsewhere. Green sea turtle or Honu Chelonia mydas Indigenous and Threatened Green Sea Turtle - Photo: USFWS   Green sea turtles are listed as a Threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act and it is illegal to bother them. Over the last few years, they have been seen in increasing numbers in Hawaii. More than 90% of Hawaii’s turtles nest at French Frigate Shoals, in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Most of the turtles we see in Hawaii hatched at French Frigate shoals and will return there when they are ready to breed. Green sea turtles are found throughout the tropics but the Hawaii population probably does not leave Hawaiian waters or interbreed with other populations. There are no documented sea turtle nesting sites on the offshore islets, but turtles are commonly seen swimming near the islets. Whitemouth moray eel or Puhi onio Gymnothorax meleagris Indigenous Moray Eel - Photo: C Swenson   Whitemouth moray eels are one of the most common moray eel species in Hawaii. Found throughout the Pacific, they grow to about 3 feet long and are identified by their numerous, round spots and the white lining of their mouth. They are primarily nocturnal predators and divers usually see only their heads sticking out of holes in the reef. Some moray eels will even leave the water to chase prey in rocky intertidal areas and shallow tide pools. Whitetip reef shark or Mano lalakea Triaenodon obesus Indigenous White Tip Reef Shark - Photo: K Foster   Whitetip reef sharks are the most common shark in coastal waters around the main Hawaiian Islands and are found throughout the Pacific. They generally rest under ledges or in caves during the day and come out at night to feed on reef fish. Adults are about 5 to 6 feet long and are identified by the white tips on their dorsal and caudal fins. Larger shark species, like Tiger sharks and occasionally Great white sharks, are sometimes reported around some of the more isolated offshore islets. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us