EVENT: Matt Girard visited the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), in Honolulu, Hawaii 

June 8-20

Purpose: To collect, tissue sample, and preserve specimens for our National Collection, the Ocean DNA Initiative, and the US EEZ Fish DNA Reference Library.

NMNH Zoologist, Dr. Matt Girard, recently traveled to NOAA PIFSC in Honolulu, Hawaii, to collect, tissue sample, and preserve new specimens for our National Collection, the NMNH Ocean DNA Initiative, and the US EEZ Fish DNA Reference Library. The Pacific Islands are ocean biodiversity hotspots that are home to thousands of species. These waters have been managed by NOAA for decades, making NOAA a key partner with NMNH to access hard-to-sample species from the region and fill taxonomic gaps within DNA reference libraries.  

Over 300 specimens and tissue samples of deep-sea fishes from waters around Hawaii were sampled and preserved by Matt and NOAA partners during the trip, with approximately half of the samples representing species that are new to the National Fish Collection. Each of these specimens will now be cataloged and sequenced, serving as the genetic standard for their species in the US EEZ Fish DNA Reference Library. Additionally, over 100 jars of historic fish specimens were also brought back to NMNH. These specimens represent rare deep-sea fishes from Marine National Monuments (e.g., Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument), that may be the only record of our national fauna from the region. These specimens are being transferred to NMNH collections, with some to be leveraged for historic DNA sequencing techniques. Finally, 275 jars of squid were brought back to NMNH to serve as genetic vouchers for additional DNA reference libraries. Many of these specimens have been identified by taxonomic experts and represent a significant portion of the fauna that occurs around the Hawaiian Islands. Various squid species play important trophic roles in the midwater and other habitats. This trip has opened new opportunities to collaborate with NOAA PIFSC Scientists later in 2025, with the goal of filling in the gaps within the US EEZ Fish DNA Reference Library.

In addition to the physical specimens, Matt was able to meet with potential Ocean DNA collaborators at the Bishop Museum, creating critical partnerships and conveying the significance of the Initiative’s outputs.  

If you would like more information or photographs, please contact Matt Girard (GirardMG@si.edu)

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