The Coral Reef in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea : 2011 Annual Report

1. On World Oceans Day, let us give thanks for some of the ocean's largest and fiercest inhabitants, like this school of blackfin barracuda (Sphyraena qenie), hovering near a coral reef in Kimbe Bay off New Britain island, Papua New Guinea. Simon Thorrold, director of the WHOI Ocean Life Institute, was there recently to learn if and how tiny larval reef fish disperse among various marine protected areas within the bay. This species of barracuda is typically found along the edges of reefs, often remaining motionless in a strong current without any apparent effort. Voracious predators of other fish, barracuda commonly reach 1 meter (3 feet) in length but can grow to double that size. Research supported by the Ocean Life Institute seeks to provide scientific knowledge to make informed decisions on how to sustain biodiversity, coral reefs, and megafauna such as barracuda. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

2. Can you spot the pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus sp.)? (Hint: Its head is pointing back and to the left, with its left eye partly visible.) This little fellow, about a quarter of an inch long, clings to a stem of a gorgonian coral with its prehensile tail. Its color and the bumps on its body make it resemble the knobby host. WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold found it along a coral reef in Kimbe Bay on the north side of the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. He traveled there recently to study the movement of eggs and larvae of coral reef fishes among marine protected areas within the bay. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

3. A pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) looks out from the tentacles of its home, a big anemone in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, where WHOI fish ecologist Simon Thorrold has a long-term research project to study connections among populations of reef fish. Thorrold tracks the migrations and dispersal of fish, ranging from this small reef-dweller to whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea. He also heads the WHOI Ocean Life Institute, which supports research in areas of marine biodiversity, ocean megafauna, and coral reefs. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

4. Fish ecologist Simon Thorrold's research on pristine coral reefs in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea yields both scientific results and beautiful images—such as these Teira batfish (which can grow to two feet) streaming past the reef. Thorrold studies dispersal and migration of reef fish using chemical tracers in their ear bones and DNA fingerprinting. His goal is to understand how larval fish journey through the open ocean before finding their adult homes on reefs, and how populations on separate reefs are connected to each other. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

5. A cuttlefish (Sepia sp.) appears to be dozing above a coral reef in Kimbe Bay in Papua, New Guinea. WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold has been working in the area as part of a long-term study of the movement of fish larvae among different reefs in the bay. Cuttlefish are not fish, but cephalopod mollusks related to squid and octopus. Within their fleshy mantle is the cuttlebone, which is made of calcium carbonate and contains many small holes. By changing the amount of gas in the holes, the cuttlefish can change its buoyancy and its depth in the water. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

6. A bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) casts a wary eye on WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold, who photographed this and many other species during a recent research trip to the coral reefs of Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. During the day, bigeye trevallies, which are usually two to three feet long, typically move slowly in schools of 1,500 or more. At night, they disperse as each fish forages for crustaceans or small fish. Thorrold is leading a long-term study of the movement of fish larvae among different reefs in the bay. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

7. Scientists have long been able to tag animals on land and follow their movements and habits. But tagging and tracking fish, like this spinecheek anemonefish, through vast oceans is a Herculean task. Tagging fish larvae less than an inch in length had proved almost impossible. WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold, director of the Ocean Life Institute, is among the international team using TRansgenerational Isotope Labeling (TRAIL) and DNA fingerprinting to determine how fish populations disperse and connect to one another in the reefs of Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. Such information is essential for identifying critical marine habitats that should be set aside to protect fish populations that are coming under increasing pressure from fishing and habitat destruction. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

8. A school of Caranx sexfasciatus (bigeye trevally) swim in Kimbe Bay, located on the north shore of the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Part of the famous Coral Triangle, this large bay is a hotspot for marine biodiversity. WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold, director of the Ocean Life Institute, is leading a long-term study there on the movement of fish larvae among different reefs in the bay. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

9. The paddletail snapper (Lutjanus gibbus) gets around. Its habitat is reefs, and it can be found in tropical marine waters from the Red Sea, throughout Micronesia, north to Japan and south to Australia. This particular example was spotted by WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold, director of the Ocean Life Institute, in the coral reefs of Kimbe Bay on the north shore of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Thorrold studies how fish populations disperse; such information is essential for identifying critical marine habitats that should be set aside to protect fish populations. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

10. A tassled scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala) lies camouflaged on a coral reef in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. These carnivorous fish—known for their venomous spines—often wait in disguise for prey to pass. WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold photographed this and other species during a recent research trip to study the movement of fish larvae among different reefs in the bay. (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Last updated: July 6, 2012