I

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

COMMONWEALTH OF 

THE NORTHERN MARIANA 

ISLANDS’

CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
II

COMMONWEALTH OF THE 

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS’ 

CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES

The Commonwealth Of the Northern Mariana Islands and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. 2010. 

Commonwealth Of The Northern Mariana Islands’s Coral Reef Management Priorities. Silver Spring, MD: NOAA. 

The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program would like to thank all those involved in the process to identify and publish the 

coral reef management priorities for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The commitment, time and effort 

invested in this process is greatly appreciated. These priorities will play an important role in defining NOAA’s partnership 

with the jurisdiction to work towards coral reef conservation. Special thanks to Zhe Liu for graphic design and Lauren Chhay 

for photo support. 

Cover Photo Credit: Jose Quan, Coral Reef Initiative Summer Intern 2010
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CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

SECTION TWO: STRATEGIC CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES

SECTION THREE: LINKAGES TO NOAA’S NATIONAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 

APPENDIX ONE: PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS PARTICIPANTS

APPENDIX TWO: CONTEXT

APPENDIX THREE: PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF CAPACITY GAPS

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION 

DOCUMENTS FOR CNMI BY AGENCY

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INTRODUCTION

The work presented here is being facilitated 

by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation 

Program (NOAA CRCP) as part of an 

ongoing effort to develop place-based, 

local coral reef management priorities in 

each of the seven U.S. state and territorial 

coral reef jurisdictions (American Samoa, 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands, Florida, Hawai`i, Guam, Puerto Rico 

and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and conduct 

capacity assessments to identify the support 

needed to accomplish those priorities. The 

first step in this effort has been to work 

with the core group of coral reef managers 

(local, place-based) in each jurisdiction 

to articulate a set of strategic coral reef 

management priorities. The second, and 

next, step will be to complete a capacity 

needs assessment that helps each state and 

territory realize these priorities. 

This priority setting process stems from an 

external review of NOAA CRCP conducted 

in 2007 to independently assess how 

effectively the program has met its goals. 

The review included recommendations for 

future improvements. In response to the 

review, NOAA CRCP developed a “Roadmap 

for the Future,” laying out new principles and 

priorities. A key part of this new Roadmap 

includes developing management priorities 

for each and all of the coral reef jurisdictions 

and conducting capacity assessments to 

achieve these priorities. NOAA CRCP is 

providing support to the jurisdictions to 

coordinate with the broader management 

community in each place to determine these 

strategic goals and objectives for each state 

and territory. Priority setting initiatives began 

in 2009 with implementation phased in two 

to three jurisdictions per year. The capacity 

assessments will follow, beginning in late 2010. 

The purpose of this Priority Setting document is to articulate a set of 

strategic coral reef management priorities developed in consensus by 

the coral reef managers in Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands (CNMI). NOAA will use this document in conjunction with its 

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Goals & Objectives 2010-

2015 (available at www.coralreef.noaa.gov) to direct its investment in 

activities in each jurisdiction through grants, cooperative agreements 

and internal funding. NOAA will also make the document available 

to other potential funders (non-governmental organizations [NGOs], 

federal partners, etc.) and encourage leveraging and new or expanded 

partnerships to build common coral reef conservation goals.
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CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

Scope, Development and Prioritization 

Process: This section details the process 

by which the priority goals and objectives 

were reached, including the preparation for 

the workshop, work done at the workshop, 

and the post-workshop refining process.

Strategic Coral Reef Management 

Priorities: This section presents 

the entire framework of goals and 

objectives developed and agreed 

upon by the core group during this 

process. In this section, the Priority 

Goals and Objectives are highlighted. 

These are the top priorities for 

management action as agreed upon 

by the core managers group.

Linkages to NOAA’s National Goals 

and Objectives: This section describes 

how the local jurisdiction management 

priorities align with NOAA CRCP’s 

priorities and future direction. 

1

2 3

This Priority Setting document is divided into the following sections: 
4

SECTION ONE:

SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT 

AND PRIORITIZATION 

PROCESS

This document captures the final set of 

priorities agreed upon by the core managers 

group at the priority setting workshop. The 

core managers group is defined as the “placebased” coral reef managers who have the 

direct responsibility for managing the coral 

reef ecosystem in a particular geographic 

location. The managers as well as those who 

were asked to participate in the initial analysis 

and review of this document are listed in 

Appendix One.

In preparation for the workshop, previously 

identified goals and objectives were taken 

from current management documents and 

presented in the Situation Analysis. The 

Situation Analysis is a preparatory document 

that summarizes: coral reef threats, condition 

and trends; key management issues; and 

key agencies’ management goals ahead 

of meetings and interviews. Its primary 

purpose is to compile and consolidate 

available management documents from 

various management bodies and geographic 

localities. Appendix Two presents a summary 

of the Situation Analysis’ findings.

This Situation Analysis was augmented by a 

series of interviews that captured managers’ 

working perceptions of management goals as 

they are stated in management documents. 

Taken together, along with the current 

version of the Local Action Strategy (LAS) 

document, this information formed the basis 

for the workshop discussions by offering an 

initial set of goal areas to consider. 

During the interviews with the core coral 

reef managers and management advisors 

in CNMI, facilitators identified challenges to 

and current deficiencies in achieving stated 

goals and objectives, noting specific capacity 

gaps that likely will need attention. This 

information will serve as the starting point 

for the capacity assessment, to be completed 

in the following year. It is summarized in 

Appendix Three.

Workshop participants worked from the 

Situation Analysis, interviews and a current 

version of CNMI’s LAS document to create a 

comprehensive set of goals and objectives 

for four priority areas. These were agreed 

upon by the core group as needed areas 

that were most important to the successful 

management and conservation of the CNMI’s 

coral reefs. They are: 

■ Impacts of Land-Based Sources of 

Pollution

■ Fisheries and Impacts of Fishing 
5

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

■ Impacts of Military Build-Up

■ Impacts of Climate Change and 

Ocean Acidification

These four priority areas are encompassed 

by two larger overarching goals that guide 

coral reef management efforts in the CNMI. 

The first is the Micronesia Challenge (www.

micronesiachallenge.org). This regional 

commitment to effectively conserve at 

least 30 percent of the near-shore marine 

resources and 20 percent of the terrestrial 

resources across Micronesia by 2020 

provides a framework to guide resource 

management and conservation in the CNMI. 

The government of CNMI and its coral reef 

managers are committed to achieving the 

goals of the Challenge in CNMI. Closely 

related to the Micronesia Challenge is the 

need to increase the resiliency of CNMI’s 

reefs and coastal communities in the face 

of climate change and ocean acidification. 

The theme of reef resiliency is an important 

component of reef management on CNMI 

and serves as a connection between all four 

priority areas.

For the purpose of this

exercise, the following 

definitions were used: 

Goals are defined as the highest-level 

result the jurisdiction seeks to achieve (e.g., 

stable, sustainable coral reef ecosystems) 

in the next five to seven years. 

Objectives are defined as the 

environmental, social and institutional 

outcomes the jurisdiction must achieve 

to reach the end goal. Objectives are 

generally actionable within a three- to 

five-year time frame. 

Actions are projects, procedures or 

techniques intended to implement an 

objective. 

On the first day of the workshop, small 

groups presented their recommendations to 

all participants for discussion and evaluation. 

Each participant then identified his or her 

top eight priority objectives. Actions were 

On the first day of the priority setting workshop, small groups presented their recommendations to all participants for discussion and 

evaluation. Each participant then identified his or her top eight priority objectives. Photo Credit: Kathy Chaston, NOAA CRCP
6

developed after the workshop in consultation 

with the core group.

This document presents both the 

comprehensive set of goals and objectives 

as developed by the core group as well 

as the Priority Goals and Objectives. The 

Priority Goals and Objectives are those the 

core group identified through the above 

process as requiring immediate attention 

over the short term. These Priority Goals and 

Objectives will guide NOAA CRCP funding 

allocations for management activities. 

The CRCP understands and respects the 

flexibility required by coral reef managers in 

implementing complex conservation and 

management programs. Should the partners 

seek funding for projects related to offpriority issues (either in the comprehensive 

framework of goals and objectives in this 

document or a new emerging issue not 

reflected in this document) it will need to be 

fully explained why the requested funding 

is most appropriate for the off-priority work 

versus efforts to address the priority Goals and 

Objectives identified through this process. 

Priority Goals and Objectives are highlighted 

in olive/bold and olive/italic font, 

respectively. The attendees selected the 

Priority Goals and Objectives during the 

workshop and a follow-up a meeting.

The top four Priority Goals as

identified and ranked by the 

workshop participants are: 

1. Improve the condition of CNMI’s coral 

reef ecosystems by reducing the 

amount of sediment, nutrients and 

other land-based sources of pollution 

in CNMI’s watersheds.

SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

2. Increase the abundance and average 

size of CNMI’s key coral reef fishery 

species to protect trophic structure 

and biodiversity and improve coral 

reef ecosystem condition (within and 

outside of existing marine protected 

areas [MPAs]). 

3. Develop the legal and administrative 

authority and capacity to monitor and 

assess impacts of military build-up 

activities on coral reefs by 2012.

4. Monitor the short- and long-term 

impacts of global climate change 

as part of a longer-term adaptation 

strategy.

These management actions primarily focus 

on the commonwealth’s populated Southern 

Mariana Islands, although some activities 

extend to the Northern Islands and offshore 

banks and reefs. 

Several objectives call out specific priority 

locations for activities. Objectives highlighted 

LaoLao Bay Watershed (Saipan), Garapan 

Watershed (defined as American Memorial 

Park to Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan), and 

Talakahaya Watershed (Rota) as priorities for 

working toward the reduction of land-based 

sources of pollution. Objectives related 

to protection of CNMI’s fishery resources 

prioritize activities in the existing marine 

preserves. 
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CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

SECTION TWO:

STRATEGIC CORAL 

REEF MANAGEMENT 

PRIORITIES

This section presents the entire framework 

of goals and objectives developed and 

agreed upon by the core group during this 

process. In this section, the Priority Goals 

and Objectives are highlighted in olive/bold

and olive/italic font, respectively. These are 

the top priorities for management action as 

agreed upon by the core managers group. 

These Priority Goals and Objectives will 

guide funding allocations for management 

activities. 

IMPACTS OF LAND-BASED

SOURCES OF POLLUTION

GOAL 1: Improve the condition of 

CNMI’s coral reef ecosystems by 

reducing the amount of sediment, 

nutrients and other land-based sources 

of pollution in CNMI’s watersheds.

Objectives:

1.1 Implement LaoLao Conservation Action 

Plan (CAP) as a model approach to sitebased planning and management by 

2013 (coinciding with the end of the 

American Recovery and Relief Act [ARRA] 

road improvement project in LaoLao Bay).

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective:

a. Coordinate with ARRA road 

improvement project to implement 

remaining best management practices 

and revegetation projects by 2011.

b. Provide effective enforcement 

against illegal activities (e.g., burning, 

poaching, dumping, land-clearing, etc.).

c. Engage social marketing expert to plan 

targeted outreach campaign by 2010 

to increase stakeholder participation. 

Implementation to begin by 2011.

d. Ensure that ongoing coral reef 

monitoring is designed to measure 

the effectiveness of implemented CAP 

projects by 2010.

e. Evaluate data to assess the 

effectiveness of management 

measures. Begin baseline in 2010.

f. Revisit CAP annually to assess progress 

and revise if necessary. Draw lessons 

that can be applied to future CAPs. 

1.2 Develop and begin implementing a CAP or 

comprehensive watershed management 

plan in Garapan (defined as American 

Memorial Park to Garapan Fishing Base) 

by 2015 to improve water quality and 

condition of adjacent coral reefs. 
8

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective:

a. Understand status of current planning

efforts, identify what actions are being 

considered or implemented and 

update watershed plan by 2010. 

b. Develop public participation strategy 

to garner support for a watershed 

stormwater management plan and 

other initiatives by 2012.

c. By 2011 begin implementing 

stormwater improvement strategies 

developed during the Municipal 

Stormwater Training conducted by the 

Center for Watershed Protection and 

Horsley Witten in September 2009.

d. Select and implement key strategic 

actions from existing plans and 

designs (i.e. Garapan Watershed Plan) 

by 2011.

e. Revise or create new architecture 

and engineering plan for stormwater 

infrastructure (if needed) by 2012.

f. Find funding and implement 

architecture and engineering plan by 

2015. 

1.3 Develop and begin to implement a CAP or 

comprehensive watershed management 

plan for a key watershed in Rota to improve 

water quality and condition of adjacent coral 

reefs. 

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Conduct Rota CAP in 2010 and begin 

implementing in 2011–12.

1.4 Increase public awareness of how 

changes in household and commercial 

land-use activities can contribute to 

improved reef condition.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Engage social marketing expert to 

develop targeted outreach campaigns 

by 2011. (Social marketing is the 

application of marketing tools to 

change attitudes and behaviors. It 

has been successfully applied to 

SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

Sediment plumes like the one shown introduce a number of pollutants and smothering silt into coral reef ecosystems. 

Photo Courtesy: CNMI DEQ
9

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

such issues as seatbelt use, smoking, 

pollution, teen drug abuse, and 

reproductive health.)

b. Integrate social marketing plan with 

CAPs and other ongoing watershed 

management initiatives rather than 

implement separate awareness 

activities by 2010. Build off messaging 

from LaoLao CAP.

c. Partner with NGOs to implement 

targeted outreach campaigns by 2010.

1.5 Strengthen watershed management 

in San Jose, Tinian, by conducting a 

watershed inventory, in preparation for 

CAP by 2013. 

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Gather flow direction and rate data.

b. Gather water quality data.

c. Examine conductivity between 

watershed discharge and near-shore 

marine environment.

1.6 Reduce sediments and other 

land-based sources of pollution 

in Talakhaya, Rota, by continuing 

revegetation and public outreach.

FISHERIES AND IMPACTS OF 

FISHING

GOAL 2: Increase the abundance and 

average size of CNMI’s key coral reef 

fishery species to protect trophic 

structure and biodiversity and improve 

coral reef ecosystem condition (within 

and outside of existing MPAs). 

Objectives:

2.1 Increase compliance with fishing laws 

and regulations that affect key coral 

reef fishery species by 2015. Focus these 

efforts in priority watersheds (those with 

completed CAPs). 

Soil stabilization projects, such as this one in the Talakahaya watershed, are included in the key actions necessary to reduce the 

impacts of land-based sources of pollution in CNMI. Photo Credit: Kathy Chaston, NOAA CRCP
10

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective:

a. Work with a social marketing expert to 

plan targeted outreach and awareness 

campaigns to increase compliance 

with fishing laws and regulations by 

2011. The aim is to educate fishers, 

consumers and commercial entities 

(businesses) about coral reef fish 

life histories, the need for fisheries 

management and the impacts of 

specific fishing practices. 

b. Improve enforcement of fishery 

laws and regulations by 2012 

through providing additional 

capacity, equipment and resources 

to local enforcement offices. Create 

opportunities, through social 

marketing campaign, for enforcement 

officers to engage with local 

communities to raise awareness about 

existing rules and regulations.

c. Monitor effectiveness of existing 

enforcement program and review 

and revise enforcement plan annually 

starting in 2012. Vet results of the 

monitoring with affected community 

and seek input from resource users 

about how compliance could be 

improved. 

d. Provide regular training for 

enforcement staff in enforcement, 

investigation and community 

engagement techniques. (Need for 

frequent training opportunities on 

multiple subjects—fish identification, 

new laws, technologies, techniques 

and underwater investigation.)

e. Improve interagency collaboration 

and cross-training opportunities 

through a joint enforcement 

agreement.

f. Support the development of 

community management programs 

to increase public knowledge of, 

support for and participation in fishery 

management activities (e.g., Tasi 

watch in LaoLao Bay) by 2013.

SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

Left Image: Impaired water quality impacts fishing and swimming activities at American Memorial Park, Saipan. Photo Credit: Kathy 

Chaston, NOAA CRCP Right Image: The Napoleon Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish and is listed as endangered by the IUCN. 

Photo Credit: Dave Burdick
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CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

2.2 Strengthen the information base for 

fisheries management by 2012. Collect, 

analyze and manage fishery-dependent 

and -independent data about the status 

of stocks, including relevant life history 

information for targeted coral reef fishes. 

(Refer to Summary Recommendations 

[Urgent/Critical] in “Coral Reef Stock 

Assessment Workshop” [Western Pacific 

Regional Fishery Management Council 

(WPRFMC), Feb. 2008]).

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Expand creel survey on Saipan, and 

perhaps to Tinian and Rota. Prior to 

expansion, ensure that current surveys 

follow a reportable, defensible, 

complete design.

b. Conduct a Northern Islands shallowwater bottomfish stock assessment. 

c. Collect additional catch data from 

market surveys to determine: 

■ What types of fish make up the 

majority of market sales? 

■ Are fish being caught before they can 

reproduce?

■ How do markets compare between all 

other islands?

2.3 Enact the Fishery Management Act and 

accompanying regulations by 2010. 

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Educate the legislature on how a 

fisheries act will benefit/affect them.

b. Ensure appropriate legal support to 

make any changes to act necessary for 

passage.

2.4 Take necessary action to ensure that 

CNMI is a decision-making partner 

in Mariana Trench Marine National 

Monument management. Ensure 

that the Monument incorporates local 

initiatives and laws. 

Key Actions to Achieve this Objective: 

a. Ensure locally designated points 

of contact communicate with 

appropriate federal managers to start 

dialogue on management issues.

2.5 Implement major objectives in the 

NOAA National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS) Habitat Assessment 

Improvement Plan, which are relevant 

to CNMI coral reefs.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Conduct improved habitat 

assessments to refine/narrow 

definitions of Essential Fish Habitat 

(EFH) and Habitat of Particular 

Concern. 

b. Prioritize habitat protection, 

restoration and mitigation. 

c. Improve accuracy of EFH consultations 

regarding proposed (fishing or nonfishing) impacts. 

d. Improve quantification of 

habitat value/loss and mitigation 

recommendations. 

e. Improve integrated ecosystem 

assessments (Ecosystem Based Fishery 

Management).

IMPACTS OF MILITARY BUILD-UP

GOAL 3: Develop the legal and 

administrative authority and capacity to 

monitor and assess impacts of military 

build-up activities on coral reefs by 

2012.

Objectives: 

3.1 Establish protocols for joint CNMIfederal agency involvement in the 

environmental assessment and 

monitoring of military activities (e.g., 

landing boats, sonar exercises) in 

proximity to reefs by 2012.
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Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Establish a working group to 

coordinate development and 

implementation of protocols. 

Include CNMI representative for 

Navy Joint Guam Program Office 

meetings to ensure coordination. 

Review examples from Farallon De 

Medinilla, Guam and Hawai`i as a 

guide. (The aim is for CNMI agencies 

to be involved in the design and 

implementation of military monitoring 

activities in proximity to coral reefs. 

If monitoring is not adequate to 

assess impacts, CNMI agencies should 

partner with other federal agencies to 

supplement monitoring activities.) 

3.2 Rapidly assess and collect baseline 

information on reef conditions in existing 

or proposed military training areas. 

Work with military to establish these 

baselines and long-term monitoring of 

these sites.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Establish an interagency monitoring 

team to develop monitoring protocols 

and begin monitoring coral reefs in 

existing or proposed military training 

areas by 2013. 

b. Develop biosecurity baselines and 

monitoring protocols to reduce the 

risk of aquatic and terrestrial invasive 

plants and animals in the major 

harbors and military landing zones 

within CNMI by summer 2011.

3.3 Establish protocols to avoid and 

minimize impacts of military vessel 

anchors on CNMI’s reef systems by 2011.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Establish a working group to 

coordinate development and 

implementation of protocols by 2010.

b. Review established protocols 

and management strategies for 

minimizing anchor damage from 

other areas and adapt for CNMI (e.g., 

see Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 

Authority, CORAL guidelines, Florida) 

by 2010. 

c. Work with local enforcement agencies 

to enforce and monitor compliance 

with protocols by 2011.

d. Monitor coral reefs area for anchor 

damage (add to existing monitoring 

programs) by 2011.

3.4 Develop strategies for managing 

increased recreational uses related to 

increased military presence. 

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Conduct socioeconomic monitoring 

of increased marine recreational 

activity (by military, dependents and 

contractors) in CNMI waters, and 

related impacts to reefs.

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

GOAL 4: Monitor the short- and longterm impacts of global climate change 

as part of a longer-term adaptation 

strategy.

Objectives: 

4.1 Create and build capacity to implement 

a response plan by 2012 to quantify and 

characterize bleaching events, building 

on recommendations from NOAA 

climate change workshop held in Guam, 

September 2009.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Establish an interagency working 

group to oversee development. 

SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS
13

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

4.2 Work with NOAA and CNMI Coastal 

Resources Management Office (CRM) 

to increase capacity to monitor and 

mitigate impacts to CNMI’s coastlines 

from sea-level rise.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Continue beach profiling to prioritize 

locations most susceptible to 

inundation. 

b. Create geographic information systembased situation models based on sealevel rise scenarios by 2013.

c. Create/develop adaptation plans 

focusing on vulnerable areas and 

infrastructures relocation strategies by 

2015.

4.3 Develop a climate change awareness 

program for the community.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 

a. Develop a communications plan 

(including outreach to media, key 

leaders, stakeholders, etc.) as part of 

the CNMI Coral Bleaching Response 

Plan by 2010.

b. Coordinate with community dive 

groups, businesses and individuals 

to build participation in BioSearch 

program as a tool to assist in early 

warning for bleaching, Crown of 

Thorns Starfish, and other climate 

driven events by 2011.

c. Coordinate with local media (print, 

broadcast and radio) to provide a 

coral bleaching watch update to run 

at regular intervals during summer 

months by 2010.

4.4 Increase capacity (e.g., Integrated Coral 

Observing Network expansion) for 

monitoring ocean temperature change, 

bleaching, acidification and other 

potential impacts of global climate 

change.

Left Image: Implementing a bleaching response plan is an outcome of the 2009 climate-change workshop. Photo Credit: Britt Parker, NOAA 

Coral Reef Watch Right Image: Coral bleaching can lead to coral mortality and transition of a reef to an algae-dominated ecosystem. 

Photo Credit: Dave Burdick
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SECTION THREE:

LINKAGES TO NOAA’S 

NATIONAL GOALS 

AND OBJECTIVES 

Table 1 shows how CNMI’s Priority Goals and Objectives correlate to the NOAA CRCP 

National Goals and Objectives for coral reef conservation. Table 1 was developed 

after the CNMI Coral Reef Management Priority Setting Process was complete 

to explicitly identify potential partnerships between the managers in CNMI and 

NOAA CRCP. Addressing both local jurisdictional priorities and national goals and 

objectives will increase efficiency and leveraging of the resources available for coral 

reef conservation. NOAA CRCP will use this table to inform future investments in 

coral reef conservation in CNMI.
15

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

CNMI’s Priority Goals and 

Objectives

NOAA’s National Goals and 

Objectives for Coral Reef 

Conservation

Explanation of Correlation 

(as needed)

GOAL 1: IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF CNMI’S CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF SEDIMENT, NUTRIENTS 

AND OTHER LAND-BASED SOURCES OF POLLUTION IN CNMI’S WATERSHEDS.

OBJECTIVE 1.1: Implement LaoLao CAP as 

a model approach to site-based planning 

and management by 2013 (end of ARRA 

road improvement project in LaoLao Bay).

Land-Based Sources of Pollution (LBSP) 

Impacts Objective 1.3: Implement 

watershed management plans and 

relevant LAS within priority coral reef 

ecosystems and associated watersheds 

to improve water quality and enhance 

coral reef ecosystem resilience. Where 

needed, develop (or update) watershed 

management plans that incorporate coral 

reef protection measures.

CAPs are site-based plans that address 

watershed management and other 

issues and identify specific actions at the 

local level to reduce threats to resources. 

OBJECTIVE 1.2: Develop and begin 

implementing a CAP or comprehensive 

watershed management plan in Garapan 

(defined as American Memorial Park to 

Garapan Fishing Base) by 2015 to improve 

water quality and condition of adjacent 

coral reefs. 

LBSP Impacts Objective 1.3: Implement 

watershed management plans and 

relevant LAS within priority coral reef 

ecosystems and associated watersheds 

to improve water quality and enhance 

coral reef ecosystem resilience. Where 

needed, develop (or update) watershed 

management plans that incorporate coral 

reef protection measures.

See Objective 1.1.

OBJECTIVE 1.3: Develop and begin to 

implement a CAP or comprehensive 

watershed management plan for a key 

watershed in Rota to improve water 

quality and condition of adjacent coral 

reefs.

LBSP Impacts Objective 1.3: Implement 

watershed management plans and 

relevant LAS within priority coral reef 

ecosystems and associated watersheds 

to improve water quality and enhance 

coral reef ecosystem resilience. Where 

needed, develop (or update) watershed 

management plans that incorporate coral 

reef protection measures.

See Objective 1.1.

GOAL 2: INCREASE THE ABUNDANCE AND AVERAGE SIZE OF KEY CORAL REEF FISHERY SPECIES TO PROTECT TROPHIC STRUCTURE 

AND BIODIVERSITY AND IMPROVE CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM CONDITION (WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF EXISTING MPAs). 

OBJECTIVE 2.1: Increase compliance with 

fishing laws and regulations that affect 

key coral reef fishery species by 2015. 

Focus these efforts in priority watersheds 

(those with completed CAPs).

Fishing Impacts Goal 3: Increase 

stakeholder engagement and capacity 

to improve local compliance with and 

enforcement of fisheries management 

regulations that further coral reef 

ecosystem conservation.

No explanation needed. 

Table 1
16

CNMI’s Priority Goals and 

Objectives

NOAA’s National Goals and 

Objectives for Coral Reef 

Conservation

Explanation of 

Correlation (as needed)

GOAL 2: INCREASE THE ABUNDANCE AND AVERAGE SIZE OF KEY CORAL REEF FISHERY SPECIES TO PROTECT TROPHIC STRUCTURE AND 

BIODIVERSITY AND IMPROVE CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM CONDITION (WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF EXISTING MPAs). 

OBJECTIVE 2.1 (continued 

from previous page): Increase 

compliance with fishing laws and 

regulations that affect key coral 

reef fishery species by 2015. Focus 

these efforts in priority watersheds 

(those with completed CAPs).

Fishing Impacts Objective 3.1: Increase participation of 

stakeholder or citizen groups in fisheries management 

planning, decision-making and monitoring activities 

that improve conservation of coral reef ecosystems. 

Fishing Impacts Objective 3.2: Strengthen local agency 

and community capacity for effective and consistent 

enforcement of regulations or behaviors that reduce 

impacts of fishing on coral reef ecosystems. 

Fishing Impacts Objective 3.3: Work with partners to 

identify economic alternatives that reduce effects of 

non-traditional extractive livelihoods on coral reef 

ecosystems and provide options for communities 

impacted by coral reef fisheries management actions.

Fishing Impacts Objective 3.4: Conduct biological and 

socioeconomic research and monitoring necessary to 

assess the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement 

activities, understand community concerns, flag 

roadblocks to implementation and incorporate into 

management efforts.

No explanation needed. 

OBJECTIVE 2.2: Strengthen the 

information base for fisheries 

management by 2012. Collect, 

analyze and manage fisherydependent and -independent data 

about the status stocks, including 

relevant life history information for 

targeted coral reef fishes. (Refer 

to Summary Recommendations 

[Urgent/Critical] in “Coral Reef 

Stock Assessment Workshop” 

[WPRFMC, Feb. 2008]).

Fishing Impacts Objective 1.3: Obtain essential life 

history and ecological information on key species or 

functional groups to support management actions. 

Fishing Impacts Objective 1.4: Obtain necessary 

information on fishing effort in U.S. coral reef 

ecosystems by measuring fishing intensity, fishing 

mortality, frequency, area coverage, community 

dependence, etc., to inform management activities.

Fishing Impacts Objective 1.5: Predict appropriate levels 

of extraction for key species or groups by developing 

and utilizing valid, precise, place-based and realistic 

ecosystem dynamics models.

Fishing Impacts Objective 1.6: Conduct applied 

biological, social, and economic research and 

monitoring to evaluate effectiveness of coral reef 

ecosystem management actions on key species or 

groups. 

No explanation needed. 

SECTION THREE: LINKAGES TO NOAA’S NATIONAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 

Table 1 continued
17

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

CNMI’s Priority Goals and 

Objectives

NOAA’s National Goals and 

Objectives for Coral Reef 

Conservation

Explanation of 

Correlation (as needed)

OBJECTIVE 2.3: Enact the Fishery 

Management Act and accompanying 

regulations by 2010.

Fishing Impacts Objective 3.2: Strengthen local 

agency and community capacity for effective and 

consistent enforcement of regulations or behaviors 

that reduce impacts of fishing on coral reef 

ecosystems. 

Fishing Impacts Objective 3.4: Conduct biological 

and socioeconomic research and monitoring 

necessary to assess the effectiveness of compliance 

and enforcement activities, understand community 

concerns, flag roadblocks to implementation, and 

incorporate into management efforts.

Fishing Impacts Objective 4.3: Develop targeted, 

locally-relevant outreach and communication 

strategies to increase community understanding 

and support for regulations to protect key coral reef 

ecosystem species/functional groups and expanded 

use of marine protected areas.

The CNMI Fishery Management 

Act articulates CNMI’s fisheries 

management policy and the rules 

and regulations established to 

enforce the policy. The national 

fishing impacts objectives each 

relate to aspects of enforcing 

fisheries rules and regulations 

that the CRCP can support in 

partnership with CNMI.

GOAL 3: DEVELOP THE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY AND CAPACITY TO MONITOR AND ASSESS IMPACTS OF MILITARY 

BUILD-UP ACTIVITIES ON CORAL REEFS BY 2012. 

OBJECTIVE 3.1: Establish protocols for 

joint CNMI-federal agency involvement 

in the environmental assessment and 

monitoring of military activities (e.g., 

landing boats, sonar exercises) in 

proximity to reefs by 2012.

None

OBJECTIVE 3.2: Rapidly assess and 

collect baseline information on reef 

conditions in existing or proposed 

military training areas. Work with 

military to establish these baselines and 

long-term monitoring of these sites.

None

OBJECTIVE 3.3: Establish protocols to 

minimize impacts of military vessel 

anchors on CNMI’s reef systems by 2011.

None

GOAL 4: MONITOR THE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AS PART OF A LONGER-TERM ADAPTATION 

STRATEGY.

OBJECTIVE 4.1: Create and build capacity 

to implement a response plan by 2012 

to quantify and characterize bleaching 

events, building on recommendations 

from NOAA climate-change workshop 

held in Guam, September 2009.

Climate Impacts Objective 1.3: Develop and 

implement climate-related crisis response plans in 

all U.S. coral reef jurisdictions to provide a framework 

for early warning, communication, monitoring, 

research and management response to protect coral 

reef ecosystems from acute events such as coral 

bleaching, infectious disease outbreaks, tropical 

storm impacts and major rainfall events.

No explanation needed.

Table 1 continued
18

APPENDIX ONE: 

PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS 

PARTICIPANTS

Core Group: place-based managers of specific 

coral reef areas.

Each member of this group was invited to attend 

the workshop, to partake in an interview prior 

to the workshop and to participate in document 

revisions. 

Frank Rabauliman, Division of Environmental 

Quality (DEQ)

Fran Castro, DEQ

Kathleen Herrmann, DEQ/NOAA

Janice E. Castro, DEQ

Lisa Huyhn Eller, DEQ

Dr John Joyner, CRM

John Starmer, CRM

Brooke Nevitt, CRM

Sylvan Igisomar, Division of Fish and Wildlife 

(DFW)

Michael Trianni, DFW

Ray Roberto, DFW

Tony Mareham, DFW

Mike Tenorio, DFW

Dr. Peter Houk, Pacific Marine Resources 

Institute (* Included due to previous 

position with DEQ)

Steve McKagan, NOAA, NMFS, Pacific Islands 

Regional Office (PIRO)

Jack Ogumoro, WPRFMC

Advisors: managers of jurisdictions and 

populations impacting CNMI’s coral reefs.

Each member of this group was invited to 

interview prior to the workshop and to participate 

in document revisions.

Nate Hawley, DFW

Ana Agulto, CRM

Doris Chong, CRM

Kathy Yuknavage, Mariana Islands Nature 

Alliance (*Included due to previous 

position with CRM)

Kate B. Fuller, DEQ

Science Advisors: members of the scientific 

community with expertise in various aspects of 

coral reef ecosystems.

Each member of this group was invited to review 

documents and to offer revisions.

Jacob Asher, NMFS, Pacific Islands Fisheries 

Science Center (PIFSC), Coral Reef 

Ecosystem Division (CRED)

Rusty Brainard, NOAA, PIFSC, CRED

Joyce Miller, NOAA, PIFSC, CRED

Benjamin Richards, NOAA, PIFSC, CRED

Bernardo Vargas-Angel, NOAA, PIFSC, CRED

Arielle Levine, NOAA, PIFSC

Robert Van Woesik, Florida Institute of 

Technology

Bob Schroeder, NOAA, PIRO
19

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

APPENDIX TWO: 

CONTEXT

The Situation Analysis is a preparatory document 

that summarizes coral reef threats, condition 

and trends; key management issues; and key 

agencies’ management goals. As an initial 

step in the priority setting process, it was used 

ahead of meetings and interviews to provide a 

reference point and boundary for priority setting 

discussions with place-based coral reef managers 

in CNMI. The documents that make up the basis 

of this analysis were identified during interviews 

with place-based coral reef managers in CNMI 

and via a desk review of existing management 

plans from those agencies that are responsible 

for or affect CNMI’s coral management. The coral 

reef managers interviewed for this study were 

identified by the NOAA CRCP team with input 

from the NOAA CRCP point of contact in CNMI 

and included NOAA CRCP, NOAA National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS)/Pacific Islands Regional 

Office, NOAA–NMFS/Western Pacific Regional 

Fishery Management Council, Department of 

Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR)–Division 

of Environmental Quality, DPNR–Coastal 

Resources Management, DPNR–Division of Fish 

and Wildlife, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance and 

Pacific Marine Resources Institute.

The Situation Analysis identified the following 

issue areas—which reflect both specific threats 

as well as tools to mitigate threats—as those 

that were most commonly referred to in the 

documents reviewed. These results are listed in 

no particular order.

Water Quality includes monitoring and data 

collection from a number of sites for bacteria 

and nutrient levels as well as turbidity reduction 

from runoff. Many of the efforts to improve 

water quality overlap with issues of construction 

and development: road stabilization and 

stormwater control reduce runoff and turbidity. 

Other efforts include soil stabilization and 

establishing treatment wetlands. This topic is 

closely connected to the issue of land-based 

sources of pollution as well as construction and 

development, both noted point and non-point 

sources of pollution. 

Education, Outreach and Community 

Involvement is the most prolific goal set. These 

goals cut across all areas of management and 

conservation. Because the economy of the islands 

relies heavily on coral reefs, both as a tourism 

draw and a fishery, the status of the ecosystem 

depends upon sustainable users. Education and 

outreach programs are vital to public and visitor 

understanding of human impact and sustainable 

use. The vast majority of actions and objectives 

include using volunteers to implement plans. 

In addition, the following issues were particularly 

noteworthy: Regulation and Enforcement, 

Construction and Development, Land-Based 

Sources of Pollution and Research, Maintaining 

Natural Habitats, Fishing and Zoning and 

Moorings. 

Regulation and Enforcement refers to enforcing 

regulations already in place and updating 

regulations to reflect current needs and stresses. 

Regulations must evolve to meet the needs of an 

ecosystem changing due to new and increased 

anthropogenic stresses as well as the effects 

of global climate change. As such, research 

and monitoring are often linked to updating 

regulations. In addition, this issue often coincides 

with significant education and outreach goals, as 

dispersing information on regulations is the first 

step toward user group compliance. 
20

Construction and Development refers both to 

development meant to improve environmental 

quality and efforts to mitigate human impacts due 

to construction and commercial development. 

Major construction efforts in CNMI revolve 

around stormwater management, such as road 

stabilization. Revegetation of unstable areas 

to prevent soil erosion and nutrient runoff are 

often mentioned as well. Construction and 

development supports recreational activities 

and includes expanding and maintaining trail 

networks and park facilities. It is also closely 

linked with water quality and land-based sources 

of pollution discussed below. 

Land-Based Sources of Pollution pertains to 

actions that degrade water quality or have a 

direct impact on reef health. As is noted above, 

water quality and construction and development 

are linked and pertain to land-based sources of 

pollution. As such, both of these topics could fall 

under the broader topic of land-based sources of 

pollution. 

Research and Maintaining Natural Habitats

includes research and monitoring in high-impact 

areas, such as popular snorkel/dive sites and 

highly developed coastlines. Research and habitat 

maintenance goals also include designating and 

enforcing no-motor and no-take areas. This issue 

frequently links to various other conservation 

management areas, as the goals are often to 

maintain habitats with as little impact as possible.

Fishing is an economic keystone for CNMI. Fishing 

is both a commercial and personal livelihood 

for residents as well as a recreational activity 

for visitors and locals alike. Because fishery 

regulation has significant community impact, 

outreach programs and interagency management 

with private stakeholders is often necessary 

to determine the most effective management 

practice.

Zoning and Mooring refers to the need to 

designate specific areas for specific activities and 

includes recommendations for general calls for 

area-wide zoning schemes, such as a mix of marine 

protected areas, anchoring/no-anchoring areas, 

multi-use areas, no-take marine reserves, etc.

APPENDIX TWO: CONTEXT

Bird Island Marine Sanctuary is a no-take marine protected area on Saipan that extends 1,000 feet from the coast. It was established to 

promote the concept of conserving and protecting natural resources; to serve as a natural laboratory for the continued propagation of 

wildlife and marine species; and to serve as an educational laboratory for educators and students. Photo Credit: Leslie Ware
21

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

APPENDIX THREE: 

PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION 

OF CAPACITY GAPS 

During the interviews with coral reef managers 

in CNMI, facilitators worked to understand the 

working relationship between managers and 

management documents. Facilitators noted and 

identified challenges to and current deficiencies 

in achieving stated goals and objectives, noting 

specific capacity gaps that likely will need 

attention.

The Coastal Resources Center at the University of 

Rhode Island developed and applied common 

tools for comparative assessments of coastal 

ecosystem governance. This approach involves 

three categories, phrased as key statements, for 

enabling conditions that allow an initiative to 

successfully execute a sustained plan of action 

designed to influence the course of events in an 

ecosystem.

The three categories are: constituencies, 

commitment and capacity. This baseline will also 

identify the immediate capacity gaps that are 

directly related to implementing this strategic 

approach. These gaps will be explored further, and 

a capacity assessment will be developed in phase II 

of this effort, beginning in fiscal year 2010.

Constituencies

Premise: 

To achieve success, a core of well-informed 

and supportive constituencies comprised of 

stakeholders in both the private sector and 

government agencies must actively support the 

program.

Measures: 

1. The user groups who are affected by your 

program understand and support the 

goals, strategies and targets.

2. There is public support for your program.

3. The institutions that assist in 

implementing your program, or the 

institutions that are affected by the plan, 

understand and support it.

Results: 

A core group of resource managers in the 

DEQ, CRM, DWF and among nongovernmental 

organizations understands and supports reef 

management objectives. Other management 

personnel are not opposed to DEQ’s reef 

management initiatives, but have other 

management priorities. Support among resource 

user groups seems to be uneven. Fishers, in 

particular, show mixed support. CNMI coral reef 

initiative is seeking to build support for greater 

self-management among fishers through a social 

marketing plan that applies marketing tools to 

the promotion of fishing practices that reduce 

negative impacts on reef systems. Recreational 

operators generally understand and support 

resource management objectives, according to 

management resource people with whom we 

spoke.
22

COMMITMENT

Premise:

To achieve success, it is necessary that 

the delegated authorities have expressed 

commitment to the policies of a program and to 

the allocation of financial resources required for 

long-term program implementation.

Measures:

1. The appropriate level of government has 

formally approved the plan of action.

2. The government provided the program 

with the authorities it needs to 

successfully implement its plan of action.

3. Sufficient financial resources have been 

committed to fully implement the 

program over the long-term.

Results:

Commitment is strong in DEQ from the director 

down, among experienced staff in CRM and DFW 

and among nongovernmental experts including 

some of whom are former government staff. There 

appears to be strong agreement among resource 

management professionals about the need for 

greater management of land-based sources of 

pollution, more rigorous management of fishing 

activities and increased attention focused on 

climate change and the military build-up. Placebased funding for managing land-based sources 

of pollution will require support from multiple 

agencies. Regarding funding, CNMI relies heavily 

on federal funds. Local funding for management, 

particularly for managing land-based sources 

of pollution, will be essential. Commitment to 

increased enforcement of fishing activities is 

problematic.

CAPACITY

Premise: 

To achieve success, it is necessary for sufficient 

capacity be present within the institutions 

responsible for the program to implement its 

policies and plan of action.

Measures:

1. Your program possesses the human 

resources to implement its plan of action.

2. Your program possesses the institutional 

resources (equipment, materials, etc.) to 

implement its plan of action.

3. There are internal or external barriers to 

successfully implement plan of action. 

What are these?

Results: 

There is a core of skilled and knowledgeable 

resource management specialists among DEQ, 

CRM, DFW and nongovernment organizations 

who care passionately about reef management 

issues. There appear to be a few specialist 

gaps in the CRM program, some of which may 

be remedied with increased experience and 

mentoring. The more serious capacity issues 

relate to institutional infrastructure and higherlevel leadership. A number of respondents 

mentioned difficulties in applying for and 

managing project funding. Some addressed the 

difficulties in navigating the grants Web site and 

forms and the relatively small grants they received. 

This required them to be constantly applying for 

additional funding. Several suggested having an 

intermediary financial management agency such 

as the Research Corporation of the University 

of Hawai`i with which to work. There were 

also concerns about the perceived Honolulucentric scientific research agenda and the lack of 

equipment and other resources to do scientific 

research, including climate-change research, more 

directly related to CNMI’s management priorities. 

APPENDIX THREE: PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF CAPACITY GAPS 
23

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

Regarding the impacts of fishing activities on 

reefs, enforcement and prosecution of existing 

regulations is problematic at best. CNMI’s Coral 

Reef Initiative hopes to initiate a more intensive 

social marketing effort to educate fishers and 

other users. Regarding managing land-based 

sources of pollution, several significant placebased efforts are underway and many projects 

have been completed or are underway at LaoLao 

Bay. Management leadership now wants to 

focus on Garapan where near-shore waters are 

frequently polluted. Several plans have already 

been completed, but the needed sewer lines, 

treatment facilities and stormwater facilities would 

be expensive.

This initial assessment will be followed by a 

more detailed assessment and analysis that will 

focus on capacity gaps in relation to the specific 

management goals and objectives that are 

finalized in this priority setting process.

Resilient coral ecosystems are better able to recover from adverse impacts, such as coral bleaching. Resiliency in the face of climate change 

and ocean acidification is one of two overarching goals within CNMI’s management priorities. Photo Credit: Greg Moretti
24

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CORAL 

REEF MANAGEMENT AND 

CONSERVATION DOCUMENTS 

FOR CNMI BY AGENCY

Division of Environmental Quality

Conceptual Stormwater Management Plan for the 

Garapan II Drainage (2005).

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands 

Integrated 305(b) and 303(d) Water Quality 

Assessment Report (2008). 

Laolao Bay Conservation Action Plan (2009).

Division of Fish and Wildlife

Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for the 

CNMI (2005).

Management Plan for the Managaha Marine 

Conservation Area (2005).

Management Plan for the Bird Island Wildlife 

Conservation Area and Bird Island Marine Sanctuary 

(2007).

Management Plan: Kagman Wildlife Conservation 

Area and Forbidden Island Marine Sanctuary (2007).

Mariana Islands Nature Alliance

Goals and Projects for 2008–2010. Accessed at:

http://www.minapacific.org/sec.asp?secID=2 

NOAA–NMFS/Western Pacific Regional 

Fishery Management Council

Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Mariana Archipelago 

(2008).

Unaffiliated or Jointly Published 

Documents

Cesar Environmental Economics Consulting Group 

(2006). The Economic Value of the Coral Reefs of 

Saipan, CNMI. 

Division of Coastal Resource Management, 

Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Fish 

and Wildlife, and National Oceanographic and 

Atmospheric Administration (2006). How Much are 

Saipan’s Coral Reefs Worth?: A Policy Brief.

Division of Coastal Resource Management 

and Division of Environmental Quality (2002). 

Commowealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 

Nonpoint Source Pollution Monitoring Strategy. 

Houk, P. and van Woesik, R. (2009). Coral 

Assemblages and reef growth in Saipan, the CNMI. 

Notes from Coral Reef Stakeholder Meetings 

(2003).

Western Pacific Fishery Information Network and 

Division of Fish and Wildlife (2007). Commonwealth 

of Northern Mariana Islands 2005 Fisheries Statistics.

Zeller, D. et al. (2007). Re-estimation of small-scale 

fishery catches for US-flag associated island areas of 

the western Pacific: the last 50 years.
25

CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

To access this report online or for more information, visit:

http://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcrcp/strategy/reprioritization/managementpriorities/
26

To access this report online or for more information, visit:

http://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcrcp/strategy/reprioritization/managementpriorities/