Photograph by Enric Sala
In the last few days of his presidency, President George W. Bush created three new national monuments in the Pacific Ocean in the largest ocean conservation effort ever. The new monuments will protect Kingman Reef (as part of the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument), Rose Atoll, and the Mariana Trench, which is home to Earth's deepest spot.
All three of the protected areas are home to many species, including the giant coral colony shown in the photo above.
Although it seems like these species would only be protected as long as
they stayed inside the monument boundaries, the benefits go beyond the
imaginary lines. National Geographic Society marine ecologist Enric
Sala says "when you protect an area, marine life recovers inside the
area. After years, fish spill over and help replenish the life outside
the area."
Read an interview with marine ecologist Enric Sala.
See more photos from the new marine monuments on National Geographic News.
See photos of beautiful coral reefs in the Coral Reefs Gallery.
See more photos from the new marine monuments on National Geographic News.
See photos of beautiful coral reefs in the Coral Reefs Gallery.
wow this is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well it's about time that guy did something good..
We need to save the earth!THE STORY IS AWESOME!I WISH I COUID GO THERE!
i LoVe MaRiNe BiOlOgY i want to be an marine biologist becuase i love sea animals so much it is not even funny :-s :-p :-( :-)
been there,done that
I wish I can learn more about this plant because I think that plant is very rare.
if i was thair it will be alsome.when it is my birthday i will might be thair
How do you buid a monument IN the Mariana Trench?