Proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary NOAA has released for public comment the draft designation documents for the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. The images and video below can be downloaded in high resolution and may be freely used for press purposes. Proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary Designation Process Federal Register Notice National marine sanctuaries: Value added for communities and the Blue Economy NOAA is proposing a sanctuary area approximately 582,250 square miles. The agency’s preferred boundary is coextensive with the marine portions of the monument. The boundary includes the marine environment surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from the shoreline of the islands and atolls seaward to 200 nautical miles, including all state waters and waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, Midway Atoll and Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuges, and State of Hawaiʻi Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Refuge. Map: NOAA Download Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument B-roll Credit: NOAA Download B-roll YouTube Scientist surveys algal growth in Papahānaumokuākea. Credit: Kimberly Jeffries/NOAA Download Rare species live at Kure Atoll. Credit: NOAA/Richard Pyle-Bishop Museum Download A diverse assemblage of fish on the reefs in Papahānaumokuākea. Credit: Kimberly Jeffries/NOAA Download Galapagos sharks (manō) school at Maro Reef. Credit: James Watt/NOAA Download NOAA maritime archaeologists located the wreck of the Two Brothers, lost in 1823. Credit: NOAA Download A juvenile Hawaiian monk seal (ʻīlioholoikauaua) swims near Trig Island, French Frigate Shoals. Credit: Mark Sullivan Download Hawaiian monk seal and a giant trevally at Kure Atoll Credit: James Watt/NOAA Download White tip reef shark at Lisianski Island. Credit: Kimberly Jeffries/NOAA Download Large Acropora table corals that survived Hurricane Walaka serve as valuable habitat for remaining fishes, like this bigeye ('Āweoweo, Priacanthus meeki). Credit: Kimberly Jeffries/NOAA Download