130 Scientists From Around the World Support Mariana Trench Sanctuary
 |
| Ancient drawings on caves on Rota show the ancient link between the Chamorro people and the ocean. |
Pacific Islands Regional Director
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
1845 Wasp Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96818
Dear Regional Director Kekuewa,
We are scientists who write to you in support of accepting the nomination of the proposed national marine sanctuary in the Northern Mariana Islands. We were invited to sign this letter by Indigenous scientists from the Mariana Islands. The nomination package that was submitted by the Friends of the Mariana Trench builds a strong case that this region of the United States meets or exceeds the 11 sanctuary nomination process criteria used in determining sanctuary eligibility. The nomination should be accepted and community outreach and engagement should continue with the people living on all the islands of the Mariana Archipelago, including Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
There is a strong scientific case for a proposed national marine sanctuary in the Mariana Islands. In recent years small scale surveys conducted by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center have identified fourteen species of cetaceans present in these waters. In 2020, NOAA researchers determined that Saipan served as a breeding ground for endangered humpback whales, essential habitat for animals that migrant as far away as the Philippines, Russia, and Japan. The region is also home to wandering turtles and whale sharks, and serves as a pit stop for many migrating species.
The Mariana Trench is still one of the most unexplored habitats in the world. It is the deepest trench in the world containing an array of different ecosystems including underwater volcanoes, abyssal plains, and hydrothermal vents. These mysterious habitats allow researchers to learn about unique processes that involve adaptation to extreme conditions. Scientists can also uncover human impacts in one of the most exclusive parts of the ocean. NOAA conducted an expedition on the Okeanos Explorer in 2016 to obtain baseline data for unknown and poorly documented regions surrounding the trench. During their cruise, hundreds of different species were observed through remote-operated vehicles.
We encourage you to use this data, and the scientific research compiled by the Friends of the Mariana Trench, when you consider the 5 year review of the proposed sanctuary. We encourage you to keep the nomination on the inventory.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
|
Comments
Post a Comment