‘Time-machine’ Marshall Islands get first MPA

Twinspot snapper and grey reef sharks at Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Twinspot snapper and grey reef sharks at Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)

The first new marine protected area (MPA) of 2025 has been announced in the Pacific Ocean Republic of the Marshall Islands to protect what is said to be a huge shark population and the nation’s largest green turtle nesting colony.

The MPA or national marine sanctuary will cover two remote atolls spanning an area of 48,000sq km surrounding the country’s northernmost islands, Bikar and Bokak.

Also read: How to make billions – by protecting scuba hotspots  

Green turtle hatchling swimming for the first time in the lagoon of Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Green turtle hatchling swimming for the first time in the lagoon of Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)

The islands are uninhabited and described by the National Geographic Pristine Seas, which has been heavily involved in providing the data on which the MPA is based, as “two of the most pristine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean”. The atolls are to be fully protected from fishing. 

The Marshall Islands is providing the protection as part of a conservation approach called “look towards the future” or Reimaanlok, based on cultural insights and traditional knowledge. The idea is that coastal communities work together to design their own resource-management plans for sustainable and equitable use of local terrestrial and marine resources.

Fore reef of Bokak Atoll, an example of healthy coral reefs (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
An example of healthy coral: Fore reef of Bokak Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)

“The ocean as our ancestors knew it is vanishing,” said Marshall Islands president Dr Hilda Heine. “Without sustainable ocean ecosystems, our economy, stability and cultural identity will collapse. 

“The only way to continue benefiting from the ocean’s treasures is to protect it. I am proud of our country’s first marine sanctuary, which certainly won’t be its last.” 

A school of bigeye trevally on the windward side of Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
A school of bigeye trevally on the windward side of Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Enric Sala on a dive (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Pristine Seas founder Enric Sala on a dive (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)

“The ocean is life,” said Glen Joseph, director of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA). “The world’s ocean is being degraded, but we are able to bring part of it back by recognising that protection and food production are not mutually exclusive. 

“Safeguarding areas of high biodiversity delivers benefits to local communities who rely on fish and other aspects of a healthy environment. Our future depends on protecting our ocean.”

During an expedition to Bikar and Bokak in 2023, Pristine Seas and MIMRA gathered data about marine life from the surface to as deep as 2,340m, from lagoons and coral reefs to far offshore, as reported at the time on Divernet.

Barracuda school off Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Barracuda school off Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)

The team of scientists and film-makers used visual scuba surveys of coral reefs and open-water environments; dropped cameras to the seabed; counted and identified seabirds; tested genetic material found in the water; and explored little-known deeper areas using a submersible. 

“Bikar and Bokak’s coral reefs are a time machine, like diving in the ocean of 1,000 years ago,” said Enric Sala, National Geographic explorer in residence and founder of Pristine Seas. “In these remote atolls, we saw the healthiest coral, giant clam and reef fish populations in the central and western Pacific. They are our best baselines for what the ocean could look like if we truly let it be.” 

Steephead parrotfish at Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Steephead parrotfish at Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)

Working with local researchers and government officials, the team conducted 452 dives around Bikar and Bokak as well as Bikini and Rongerik atolls, sharing their scientific report with decision-makers to inform the Reimaanlok

They noted that Bikar and Bokak harboured the largest green turtle nesting and seabird colonies in the Marshall Islands; had the highest coral cover and giant clam densities in the central and western Pacific; displayed high coral resilience to global warming; and had the highest reef-fish biomass in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

Extraordinary abundance of giant clams in Bokak Atoll lagoon (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Abundant giant clams in Bokak Atoll lagoon (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)

The area also featured an abundance of vulnerable species such as large grouper, Napoleon wrasse and bumphead parrotfish; rare fish spawning aggregations and mating sharks; and deep-sea communities with potentially new species of fish and invertebrates and many sharks.

Napoleon wrasse (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Napoleon wrasse (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Large school of grey reef sharks off Bokak’s leeward channel (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Large school of grey reef sharks off Bokak’s leeward channel (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)

Pristine Seas says that Bikar and Bokak stand in contrast to Bikini Atoll, used as a nuclear test site after WW2. At MIMRA’s request, Pristine Seas has studied the atoll to help the Marshall Islands establish its first long-term monitoring sites, using standard data collection methodologies with Rongerik Atoll as an unbombed reference site.

Since 2008, National Geographic Pristine Seas says it has helped to establish 29 of the world’s largest MPAs, covering a total of 6.8 million sq km – more than twice the size of India.

Also on Divernet: PRISTINE SEAS DIVES BIKINI + 3 OTHER ATOLLS, PRISTINE SEAS KICKS OFF 5-YEAR PACIFIC VENTURE, WORLD’S BIGGEST CORAL DISCOVERED IN SOLOMONS, PRISTINE SEAS EXPLORES LESSER-KNOWN PALAU

@timpell49
#AskMark Mark great video love your content I recently had my cylinder hydro tested it was filled with air how long can you keep the air in the cylinder before you use it .Also dive shop can drain the air and fill with nitrox?
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@timpell49
#AskMark Mark great video love your content I recently had my cylinder hydro tested it was filled with air how long can you keep the air in the cylinder before you use it .Also dive shop can drain the air and fill with nitrox?
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

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YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS41ODI2RjhGOTVBODI2NDE5

How Long Can You Keep Air in a Cylinder? #AskMark #scubadiving

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00:00 Introduction
01:35 Scuba.com Ad
02:35 Duikvaker
03:15 EUDI
04:23 DRT
05:04 GO Diving Show UK
06:24 ADEX OZTek
07:06 Mediterranean
07:34 ADEX
08:21 TDEX
08:51 Scuba Show
09:36 MIDE
10:06 GO Diving ANZ
11:09 Diving Talks
11:58 DEMA

Full List of Dive Shows with Links:
https://divernet.com/scuba-diving/your-worldwide-dive-show-guide-for-2025/

JANUARY 18-26: Boot Düsseldorf (International Boat Show)
FEBRUARY 1-2: Duikvaker
FEBRUARY 21-23: European Dive Show (EUDI)
FEBRUARY 21-23: Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Show, Malaysia
MARCH 1-2: GO Diving Show (The UK Dive Show)
MARCH 15-16: ADEX Ocean Festival / OZTek Australia
MARCH 28-30: Mediterranean Diving Show
APRIL 4-6: Asia Dive Expo (ADEX)
MAY 22-25: Thailand Dive Expo (TDEX)
MAY 31 – JUNE 1: Scuba Show
JUNE 13-15: Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE)
SEPTEMBER 6-7: GO Diving ANZ Show
OCTOBER 17-19: Diving Talks
NOVEMBER 11-14: DEMA Show

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The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.
00:00 Introduction
01:35 Scuba.com Ad
02:35 Duikvaker
03:15 EUDI
04:23 DRT
05:04 GO Diving Show UK
06:24 ADEX OZTek
07:06 Mediterranean
07:34 ADEX
08:21 TDEX
08:51 Scuba Show
09:36 MIDE
10:06 GO Diving ANZ
11:09 Diving Talks
11:58 DEMA

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS43OTNDNTk0OUNGMDA1MUNG

Upcoming Dive Shows in 2025 #scubadiving #diveshow

US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents.Cartagena City Council says it is preparing to tighten access to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) system in southern Spain, following the death of a 37-year-old female diver there on 18 January. And an underwater habitat builder has just extended the record for longest time spent submerged. 

https://divernet.com/scuba-news/scuba-dash-across-7-continents-brings-world-record/
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/spanish-cave-divers-death-prompts-calls-for-controls/ 
https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article299289964.html
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/pod-builder-completes-120-days-under-sea/

#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

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The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents.Cartagena City Council says it is preparing to tighten access to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) system in southern Spain, following the death of a 37-year-old female diver there on 18 January. And an underwater habitat builder has just extended the record for longest time spent submerged.

https://divernet.com/scuba-news/scuba-dash-across-7-continents-brings-world-record/
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/spanish-cave-divers-death-prompts-calls-for-controls/
https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article299289964.html
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/pod-builder-completes-120-days-under-sea/

#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

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Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom
Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS4yNkZBOTQyMkYxQkQyMzc2

Spanish Cave Closed After Fatality #scuba #podcast #news

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