Rongelap Surveys for Conservation

Dr. Sylvia Pinca, College of the Marshall Islands

The live-on board Oleanda

The 15 participants explored reefs in both inside the wide lagoon of Rongelap and on the walls of each side (East, West, North and South) to find fantastic reefs and particularly large fish, and overall a specially rich and diverse fauna.

This year the team was composed by 15 participants from RMI, the Philippines, Australia, Hawaii, DC, UK, Italy, Germany and Brazil. Some of them wanted to leave a few lines of comments before returning back to their countries.

We are the same age and have very similar goals for the future, the difference being is one of us has grown up in Majuro and the other in England. We have had very similar experiences having participated on three marine research projects together. We first met in 2001 and we have just enjoyed a third expedition together, this time to Rongelap and Ailinginae Atoll. Our shared interest is in the marine environment of the Marshall Islands atolls and islands. We share the love of the ocean with its beautiful walls of corals and fish, so alive and vibrant and the lagoons with their patch reefs buzzing with creatures. We hope that the results of our surveys will some way go towards conserving the underwater magic for future generations of Marshallese people to experience and enjoy. We would like to thank the crew of Bravo for our successful research trip and the gang on the MV Orleanda for looking after us all so well.

Maria Beger, University of Queensland, Australia

This is my second trip to the atolls of the Marshall Islands, and also my second trip to Rongelap. Having done research and diving in many places around the West-and Central Pacific and Southeast Asia, I have compared the reefs here with the reefs there. The Marshallese atolls’ reef are amongst the most pristine, healthy and fish-laden reefs I have ever seen. Compare the large numbers 5 ft Giant groupers at Rongelap with the scarce ½ foot flagtail groupers in the Philippines, where the fishing pressure is so immense that all bigger fish have disappeared. Compare the beautiful coral gardens with some of the vast rock expanses in Indonesia, where fishing with dynamite destroys the very foundation of reef life! In Rongelap sharks were numerous and their friendly interest in our survey work was a great improvement to the eerie emptiness of the water in other countries where sharks are never seen anymore. Many divers and scientists alike have already expressed their interest to visit here to observe these elegant creatures, since they have disappeared elsewhere and are still plentiful in the Marshalls.

The foresight of Marshallese people to preserve their marine resources now, before it is too late, is to be congratulated! There is still a long way to go before marine reserves or other management measures are firmly established, but several atolls (such as Jaluit, Likiep, Mili and Rongelap) are spearheading this effort. So how do we know where and how to establish a marine reserve? Firstly we should look to our elders, and where traditional mo areas are or used to be. Their wisdom has developed in long years of living on the atoll and based on years and years of observations. Secondly, it is important to look at biodiversity – a term describing the number of different species which indicate a healthy and productive ecosystem. This can be achieved by a survey like the NRAS project that found out which sites were better than others, with larger and more abundant fishes, large clams and top predators, such as groupers and sharks, still present. This also serves another purpose: a nature reserve will attract tourists and scientist who bring money into the economy, and would they not prefer to see big and plentiful fishes, rays, sharks and turtles? Thirdly, we need to look at the recruitment – where do the baby fish come from and where do they go? It is important to protect nursing grounds for small fish and areas where the adults spawn.

Laura Castellano, Acquario di Genova, Italy

I arrived from the other side of the world to participate on this great expedition to Rongelap and Ailinginae atolls.
I was absolutely excited and proud to be involved in this project that can be considered an example for the other countries.
Before Silvia Pinca came here, I really did not know anything about these wonderful atolls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but she did - and she is still making - a big effort writing and speaking about the Marshall Islands in the Old Continent where we both come from because she really believes that this place is a unique country and must be preserved. Sustainable fishing and tourism are the only way to preserve these natural environments and I really hope the Government of this country will establish Marine Protected Areas according to the results of this expedition.

I hope the pristine nature of these islands with their colors, pinnacles, lagoons, corals, sand, fishes, invertebrates, sound and power of the ocean, will remain for a long long time as they will be in my soul forever.

Mandy Hengeveld, Vancouver, Canada, NRAS 2003 team member

My time in the Marshall Islands has been one that is difficult to put into words. For the past five weeks I have witnessed the beauty of islands I never imagined I would have the opportunity to explore.

The first time I set sight on a coral reef I felt like I was in the middle of a National Geographic Centerfold. There were many moments in both Mili and Rongelap Atoll where up close encounters with a diverse range of marine life gave me that same sensation.

It is my hope that the combined work of NRAS, local Stakeholders and Government will ensure the long term protection and sustainable use of the incredible natural resources of these islands.

Zoe Richards, University of Queensland, Australia

What has drawn 14 international marine scientists to the Marshall Islands for two years running? Is it the opportunity to research some of the most pristine reefs in the world? The chance to experience the most spectacular wall diving in the Pacific Ocean? Is it the close encounters with large pelagic fish and sharks that are absent for most other reefs? Is it the incredible visibility that enables corals to grow at depth far beyond their usual limits? Or is it the opportunity to provide support for the protection of the spectacular reefs, plants and animals of this remote region? As a proud member of the Nature Resource Assessment Survey team I can concur that it a combination of all of the above.

Of special mention are the reefs of Rongelap Atoll. With outstanding diversity and coral cover, this large atoll provides a refugee for a suite of marine organisms. Regardless of its remote location, this atoll and other nearby atolls such as Ailinginae and Bikini still lay prey for illegal fisherman. Through our research, our hope is that the marine eco-systems in these remote atolls will be protected in their entirety for the benefit of future generations.

Greg Suosaari, GBRMPA (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority), Townsville. Australia

I would like to express my gratitude for allowing this research expedition to take place and my inclusion on it.
The establishment of marine protected areas in the Marshall Islands is a positive step towards sustainable fishing and oceans and I have only praise for all involved.

Coming from a region where the majority of inshore reefs and some mid-shelf reefs have been decimated by mankind’s influence makes me appreciate the foresight and effort being placed into ensuring this does not happen in the Marshall Islands.

My personal belief is that the reef areas of Rongelap and Ailinginae atolls are amongst the healthiest I have dived and I look forwards to visiting again in the hope they will remain as beautiful and such a source of wealth to the community. Again, thank you.