September 16, 2026 — The following was released by the NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA scientists returned from American Samoa and the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument after conducting coral reef monitoring surveys. The team sailed south from Honolulu to Jarvis Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Kingman Reef, where they completed their suite of surveys. After a 2,000 kilometer transit down to American Samoa, they visited the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, Olosega, Tau, Swains, and Rose atoll. On the way back to Honolulu, scientists stopped at Howland and Baker Islands to wrap up their surveys in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument.

To better understand these coral reef ecosystems, scientists:

• Counted fish
• Photographed coral
• Collected water samples
• Swapped out oceanographic instruments
• Collected juvenile fish

You can revisit their journey through an interactive StoryMap.