Comments on: World’s Largest Marine Sanctuary

By: Joey

Joey — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:28:09 +0000

There happens to be a pretty good documentary on Palmyra Atoll called “Equator: Power of Currents.” It covers both Palmyra Atoll and Galapagos Islands. I highly recommend it for scuba enthusiasts as well as those interested in marine ecology.

Joey

By: Sassy_Wahine

Sassy_Wahine — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:38:14 +0000

Verrrrrrrrrrry Beautiful Island!

By: Vanessa Warheit

Vanessa Warheit — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:56:27 +0000

This post needs a few corrections. For one – neither Palmyra Atoll nor Kingman Reef are located in the Northern Marianas. They’re located in the Northern *Line* Islands, approximately 3,000 miles SE of the Marianas.

Also, as Angelo Villagomez has pointed out, Managaha (which is located in the Marianas, off the coast of Saipan) is not pristine, although it is quite beautiful. It has been developed as a day-use tourist destination, despite protests by indigenous people for whom the island is a sacred site.

Which brings up an important issue, namely: what say (if any) have the people of the CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas) had in this monument designation? The people of these islands are second-class US citizens with no vote for the US president, no senators, and no vote in the House of Representatives. It would be nice if someone at least did them the courtesy of asking them their opinion on this matter.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:06:16 +0000

That second picture is likely a plating montipora. Not a lobe coral.

By: Wazzy

Wazzy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:54:50 +0000

I just watched the movie “Shark Water” and it just makes me happy to see that someone (even though it is George), doing something about what is happening to the marine life. If anyone hasn’t seen it you should. Though this part of the world probably has nothing to do with it. I’m just happy that some parts of the world can be saved.

By: Rusty Scupper

Rusty Scupper — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:32:32 +0000

I was lucky enough to spend a few months on Palmyra atoll and Kingmans Reef when I was young. They are amazing places and need to be protected, however there’s no enforcement of any kind and I can tell you the place was pretty well combed clean by Japanese and Korean fishing trawlers at that time.

By: kirk

kirk — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:06:14 +0000

Did you say Bush was behind this. I’m starting to like this Pres. Just when he is leaving he steps up. Lets hope it happens.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:46:57 +0000

Boobies!

By: Angelo Villagomez

Angelo Villagomez — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:56:11 +0000

Just a slight correction. The Bush administration is interested in the waters surrounding the northernmost three islands in the Marianas, not all of them.

The small island is Managaha. It is not pristine.

By: Douglas Barnes

Douglas Barnes — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:22:36 +0000

Holy %$#^! Bush has finally done something I can agree with!