Coral Reef Initiative
Executive Directive
Healthy coral reefs and their associated living resources provide critical economic, social and ecological functions and values to the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. These functions and values include: attracting tourism and associated ecomonic development; protecting the shoreline from storm damage; providing fish and other resources for cultural and commercial harvest and use; providing recreation and enjoyment for island residents; and contributing to the health of the ocean ecosystem.
The people of the Northern Mariana Islands recognize that there are significant
threats to our coral reefs. As a member of the US Coral Reef Task Force, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) fully supports the goals
and objectives of the US Coral Reef Initiative and the Task Force.
In order to accomplish these goals and objectives there must be good coordination among CNMI agencies and their federal partners in order to maximize results and ensure sustainable use, restoration and protection of CNMI's coral reef ecosystems.
For further information about the Coral Reef Point of Contact/Facilitator, Coral Reef Policy Committee, Coral Reef Coordinating Committee, and Science Advisory Committee please view the Executive Directive No.235.
State of the Reef Report
One of the requirements of the USCRI is the production of a State of the Reef Report for jurisdictions that receive CRI funding. The Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has produced data intensive State of the Reef Reports for Rota(2000) with program funding from the USEPA. A CNMI-wide "Status of CNMI Coral Reefs: Current and Proposed Monitoring Activities" was also compiled by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, with the assistance of DEQ. An interagency effort produced a chapter on the CNMI for "Health of US Coral Reef Ecosystems: 2001."
Marine Monitoring
CRM's marine monitoring activities are funded through a USCRI grant administered by NOAA. Our activities are carried out collaboratively with other resource management agencies as part of the Marine Monitoring Team.
Local use of USCRI funds:
Coral reef protection signs