Located a thousand miles south of Hawaii in the vast Pacific Ocean, Palmyra Atoll is a series of tiny islands forming one of the most isolated ecosystems. This atoll is part of four protected U.S. marine monuments, creating the country’s largest environmental conservation area. Palmyra boasts a rich ecosystem, supporting abundant bird populations, diverse marine life, and one of the world’s most untouched coral reefs.
No permanent human residents inhabit Palmyra, making it difficult for outsiders to visit. Journalists seldom get the opportunity to access this pristine locale. However, the Trump administration has proposed easing some of the protections by permitting commercial fishing in nearby waters.
NPR correspondent Lauren Sommer received rare access to Palmyra Atoll. After her visit, she shared insights with host Ayesha Rascoe. They discussed the vibrant wildlife, the magnificent ocean environment, the condition of the reefs, and the significance of these islands and waters for native Hawaiians, conservationists, and commercial fishers.
For those interested in visual documentation, photos from Lauren’s trip to Palmyra Atoll are available for viewing. This episode of the coverage was produced by Sharon Mashihi, edited by Jenny Schmidt, and engineered by Annlie Huang. Fact verification was managed by Ayda Pourasad.
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