A multi-institution 2023 expedition to the uninhabited atolls of Bikar and Bokak recorded thriving wildlife across shallow reefs, open waters, and deep-sea habitats. Bokak exhibited higher coral cover and reef-fish biomass, whereas Bikar featured dense native *Pisonia grandis* forests, higher macroalgal cover, and 132 sea turtle nest pits. Submersible surveys also yielded 14 records previously unreported for the Marshall Islands, including potential new observations within the genera *Dactylanthias* and *Parapercis*. Published in *Frontiers in Marine Science*, the data will underpin ongoing monitoring under the local Reimaanlok framework.
Key points
The expedition establishes an ecological benchmark for approximately 48,136 square kilome…: The expedition establishes an ecological benchmark for approximately 48,136 square kilometres of newly designated national marine sanctuaries.
Distinct ecosystem differences between the atolls show Bokak dominating in coral biomass,…: Distinct ecosystem differences between the atolls show Bokak dominating in coral biomass, while Bikar supports concentrated turtle nesting.
Baseline data from these undisturbed habitats will directly guide long-term monitoring un…: Baseline data from these undisturbed habitats will directly guide long-term monitoring under the nation's Reimaanlok conservation framework.
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Some of the world's healthiest marine ecosystems may still exist in places so remote that human activity has had little influence on their wildlife and habitats. Scientists surveying two isolated Pacific atolls have documented thriving seabird colonies, green sea turtle nesting grounds, diverse fish communities and extensive coral reefs. The findings offer a rare picture of what relatively undisturbed tropical ocean ecosystems can look like.
The findings come from a
study published on November 11, 2026, in Frontiers in Marine Science, titled From the sky to the deep sea: ecosystem structure and ecological integrity across the National Marine Sanctuaries of Bikar and Bokak, Marshall Islands. The research, led by marine ecologist Dr Alan Friedlander of the University of Hawai'i, examined ecosystems across two remote atolls in the Marshall Islands. The assessment also provides an ecological benchmark for the country's first national marine sanctuaries, covering approximately 48,136 square kilometres around the islands.
Two remote atolls with thriving wildlife
The researchers studied Bikar and Bokak, the northernmost atolls in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Both are uninhabited and geographically isolated from…
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