Voyage to the Remote Phoenix Islands

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Scientists Larry Madin (left) and Greg Stone checked out changes to Kanton Lagoon wrought by a 2002 water temperature increase that damaged corals in the Phoenix Islands. They entered at the channel entrance and drifted into the lagoon with the 5-knot tide, covering much territory in one dive and garnering impressions of clear water, dead coral, new growing coral, and abundant fish. “PIPA has taught us many things all along,” Stone said. “When we first observed it, it was telling us what life was like on coral reefs long ago. Then a few years ago, it spoke to us about the destructive effects of shark fishing and shark finning; and now about climate change.” (Photo by Jim Stringer)