NOWRAMP
2002
U.
S. Fish and Wildlife Field Station on Tern Island
(9/12/02)
by
Scott Kikiloi
Photos by Andy Collins
Tern
Island is just one of many low sandy islands that make up
French Frigate Shoals and is the home for the only permanent
U. S. Fish and Wildlife field station in the Hawaiian Islands
National Wildlife Refuge. Why is it important to have a
field station in this remote region of our homeland? Well
the people stationed here are tasked with protecting the
fragile ecosystems in this National Wildlife Refuge. Once
a U.S. Coast Guard LORAN Station, the dormitory style building
on Tern Island is now used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service as a field station. There are two permanent employees
that are stationed here, who are supported by two to three
volunteers at any time.
This
island is a beautiful place to be stationed at. The ocean
water is clean, the air is fresh, and the sunsets are spectacular.
This exciting job allows the residents to work with sea
birds, sea turtles, and monk seals daily. Also, they help
to control alien species of plants and animals that might
threaten and hurt these populations. In the ocean, they
help to clear away marine debris, which damages the coral
reefs that are like underwater gardens in this region. It's
important for them to protect the ocean and reefs because
it is the home for thousands of living things such as sponges,
snails, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, clams, oysters, sea urchins,
sea stars, and fish.
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