COUSTEAU PLAYS KEY ROLE IN WORLD'S LARGEST PROTECTED MARINE AREA

The historic decision by U.S. President Bush in naming the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a national monument and the world's largest protected marine area was inspired in part by SeaKeepers Society Board Member Jean-Michel Cousteau and his recent documentary, "Voyage to Kure."

in 2006, Mr. Cousteau and others were invited to the White House by the President and First Lady to view a screening of his film. After the screening, the President announced his support for federal protection of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  The new monument covers nearly 140,000 square miles - more than 100 times larger than Yosemite National Park and more than seven times larger than all existing national marine sanctuaries combined.
   
Stretching more than 1,200 miles from Honolulu, the chain of islands and atolls now known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) is one of the most remote places on Earth. Home to one of the largest coral reef systems in the world the NWHI archipelago is composed of 10 islands and more than 100 reefs and shoals. They create a rich tropical marine environment and form the foundation of an ecosystem that hosts more than 7,000 species, including marine mammals, fishes, sea turtles, birds and invertebrates. Many are rare, threatened or endangered. At least a quarter of them are nowhere else on Earth.

The islands are an extension of the more familiar Hawaiian Islands, but few people have ever set foot on them or dived in their surrounding waters. Their remoteness, inaccessibility and protected status shield them from tourists. Because of infrequent human contact, these islands and reefs, vibrant and rich with diverse underwater and avian life, create an amazing habitat for unique endemic species.

In “Voyage to Kure,” Jean-Michel Cousteau and his team traveled to the farthest edge of the NWHI, the remote Kure Atoll, and explored a realm that appeared beyond human impact. "This near pristine environment, teaming with indigenous and endangered species and extraordinary habitats, is under siege from marine debris, ravenous commercial fishing interests and the effects of human irresponsibility," said Mr. Cousteau.

Mr. Cousteau's video screening showed President Bush the beauty of these waters as well as the threats they face from human pressure. During the proclamation ceremony, President Bush said Mr. Cousteau’s film had influenced his decision to protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. “I think the American people will understand better about why I made the decision when they see the movie that Jean-Michel has produced," said President Bush.

For more information about this historic documentary and future air dates, visit www.pbs.org/oceanadventures.

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