COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN THE NORTHERN MARIANA OF COMMONWEALTH

COMMONWEALTH OF CNMI’S Coral Reef Management THE ’ CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES Priorities

I

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

II CONTENTS

2 INTRODUCTION

4 SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

7 SECTION TWO: STRATEGIC CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES

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

18 APPENDIX ONE: PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS PARTICIPANTS

19 APPENDIX TWO: CONTEXT

21 APPENDIX THREE: PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF CAPACITY GAPS CNMI’S Coral Reef Management

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION 24 DOCUMENTS FOR CNMI BY AGENCY Priorities

1 INTRODUCTION

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.

The work presented here is being facilitated This priority setting process stems from an by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation external review of NOAA CRCP conducted Program (NOAA CRCP) as part of an in 2007 to independently assess how ongoing effort to develop place-based, effectively the program has met its goals. local coral reef management priorities in The review included recommendations for each of the seven U.S. state and territorial future improvements. In response to the coral reef jurisdictions (American Samoa, review, NOAA CRCP developed a “Roadmap Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana for the Future,” laying out new principles and Islands, Florida, Hawai`i, Guam, Puerto Rico priorities. A key part of this new Roadmap and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and conduct includes developing management priorities capacity assessments to identify the support for each and all of the coral reef jurisdictions needed to accomplish those priorities. The and conducting capacity assessments to first step in this effort has been to work achieve these priorities. NOAA CRCP is with the core group of coral reef managers providing support to the jurisdictions to (local, place-based) in each jurisdiction coordinate with the broader management to articulate a set of strategic coral reef community in each place to determine these management priorities. The second, and strategic goals and objectives for each state next, step will be to complete a capacity and territory. Priority setting initiatives began needs assessment that helps each state and in 2009 with implementation phased in two territory realize these priorities. to three jurisdictions per year. The capacity assessments will follow, beginning in late 2010.

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

1 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.

2 3 Strategic Coral Reef Management Linkages to NOAA’s National Goals Priorities: This section presents and Objectives: This section describes the entire framework of goals and how the local jurisdiction management objectives developed and agreed priorities align with NOAA CRCP’s upon by the core group during this priorities and future direction. 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. CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

3 SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

This document captures the final set of Taken together, along with the current priorities agreed upon by the core managers version of the Local Action Strategy (LAS) group at the priority setting workshop. The document, this information formed the basis core managers group is defined as the “place- for the workshop discussions by offering an based” coral reef managers who have the initial set of goal areas to consider. direct responsibility for managing the coral reef ecosystem in a particular geographic During the interviews with the core coral location. The managers as well as those who reef managers and management advisors were asked to participate in the initial analysis in CNMI, facilitators identified challenges to and review of this document are listed in and current deficiencies in achieving stated Appendix One. goals and objectives, noting specific capacity gaps that likely will need attention. This In preparation for the workshop, previously information will serve as the starting point identified goals and objectives were taken for the capacity assessment, to be completed from current management documents and in the following year. It is summarized in presented in the Situation Analysis. The Appendix Three. Situation Analysis is a preparatory document that summarizes: coral reef threats, condition Workshop participants worked from the and trends; key management issues; and Situation Analysis, interviews and a current key agencies’ management goals ahead version of CNMI’s LAS document to create a of meetings and interviews. Its primary comprehensive set of goals and objectives purpose is to compile and consolidate for four priority areas. These were agreed available management documents from upon by the core group as needed areas various management bodies and geographic that were most important to the successful localities. Appendix Two presents a summary management and conservation of the CNMI’s of the Situation Analysis’ findings. coral reefs. They are: ■■ Impacts of Land-Based Sources of This Situation Analysis was augmented by a Pollution series of interviews that captured managers’ working perceptions of management goals as ■■ Fisheries and Impacts of Fishing they are stated in management documents.

4 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

■■ Impacts of Military Build-Up For the purpose of this ■■ Impacts of Climate Change and exercise, the following Ocean Acidification definitions were used:

These four priority areas are encompassed Goals are defined as the highest-level by two larger overarching goals that guide result the jurisdiction seeks to achieve (e.g., coral reef management efforts in the CNMI. stable, sustainable coral reef ecosystems) The first is the Micronesia Challenge (www. in the next five to seven years. micronesiachallenge.org). This regional commitment to effectively conserve at Objectives are defined as the least 30 percent of the near-shore marine environmental, social and institutional resources and 20 percent of the terrestrial outcomes the jurisdiction must achieve resources across Micronesia by 2020 to reach the end goal. Objectives are provides a framework to guide resource generally actionable within a three- to management and conservation in the CNMI. five-year time frame. The government of CNMI and its coral reef managers are committed to achieving the Actions are projects, procedures or CNMI’S Coral Reef Management goals of the Challenge in CNMI. Closely techniques intended to implement an related to the Micronesia Challenge is the objective. need to increase the resiliency of CNMI’s reefs and coastal communities in the face On the first day of the workshop, small of climate change and ocean acidification. groups presented their recommendations to The theme of reef resiliency is an important all participants for discussion and evaluation. component of reef management on CNMI Each participant then identified his or her Priorities and serves as a connection between all four top eight priority objectives. Actions were priority areas.

5 SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

developed after the workshop in consultation 2. Increase the abundance and average with the core group. size of CNMI’s key coral reef fishery species to protect trophic structure This document presents both the and biodiversity and improve coral comprehensive set of goals and objectives reef ecosystem condition (within and as developed by the core group as well outside of existing marine protected as the Priority Goals and Objectives. The areas [MPAs]). Priority Goals and Objectives are those the 3. Develop the legal and administrative core group identified through the above authority and capacity to monitor and process as requiring immediate attention assess impacts of military build-up over the short term. These Priority Goals and activities on coral reefs by 2012. Objectives will guide NOAA CRCP funding allocations for management activities. 4. Monitor the short- and long-term The CRCP understands and respects the impacts of global climate change flexibility required by coral reef managers in as part of a longer-term adaptation implementing complex conservation and strategy. management programs. Should the partners seek funding for projects related to off- These management actions primarily focus priority issues (either in the comprehensive on the commonwealth’s populated Southern framework of goals and objectives in this Mariana Islands, although some activities document or a new emerging issue not extend to the Northern Islands and offshore reflected in this document) it will need to be banks and reefs. fully explained why the requested funding is most appropriate for the off-priority work Several objectives call out specific priority versus efforts to address the priority Goals and locations for activities. Objectives highlighted Objectives identified through this process. LaoLao Bay Watershed (), Garapan Watershed (defined as American Memorial Priority Goals and Objectives are highlighted Park to Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan), and in olive/bold and olive/italic font, Talakahaya Watershed () as priorities for respectively. The attendees selected the working toward the reduction of land-based Priority Goals and Objectives during the sources of pollution. Objectives related workshop and a follow-up a meeting. to protection of CNMI’s fishery resources prioritize activities in the existing marine preserves. 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.

6 SECTION TWO: STRATEGIC CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES

This section presents the entire framework Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: of goals and objectives developed and a. Coordinate with ARRA road agreed upon by the core group during this improvement project to implement process. In this section, the Priority Goals remaining best management practices and Objectives are highlighted in olive/bold and revegetation projects by 2011. and olive/italic font, respectively. These are the top priorities for management action as b. Provide effective enforcement agreed upon by the core managers group. against illegal activities (e.g., burning, These Priority Goals and Objectives will poaching, dumping, land-clearing, etc.). guide funding allocations for management c. Engage social marketing expert to plan activities. targeted outreach campaign by 2010 to increase stakeholder participation. IMPACTS OF LAND-BASED Implementation to begin by 2011. SOURCES OF POLLUTION d. Ensure that ongoing coral reef monitoring is designed to measure GOAL 1: Improve the condition of the effectiveness of implemented CAP CNMI’s coral reef ecosystems by projects by 2010. reducing the amount of sediment, nutrients and other land-based sources e. Evaluate data to assess the of pollution in CNMI’s watersheds. effectiveness of management measures. Begin baseline in 2010.

Objectives: f. Revisit CAP annually to assess progress CNMI’S Coral Reef Management and revise if necessary. Draw lessons 1.1 Implement LaoLao Conservation Action that can be applied to future CAPs. Plan (CAP) as a model approach to site- based planning and management by 1.2 Develop and begin implementing a CAP or 2013 (coinciding with the end of the comprehensive watershed management American Recovery and Relief Act [ARRA] plan in Garapan (defined as American road improvement project in LaoLao Bay). Memorial Park to Garapan Fishing Base) by 2015 to improve water quality and Priorities condition of adjacent coral reefs.

7 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

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: f. Find funding and implement a. Understand status of current planning architecture and engineering plan by efforts, identify what actions are being 2015. considered or implemented and 1.3 Develop and begin to implement a CAP or update watershed plan by 2010. comprehensive watershed management b. Develop public participation strategy plan for a key watershed in Rota to improve to garner support for a watershed water quality and condition of adjacent coral stormwater management plan and reefs. other initiatives by 2012. Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: c. By 2011 begin implementing stormwater improvement strategies a. Conduct Rota CAP in 2010 and begin developed during the Municipal implementing in 2011–12. Stormwater Training conducted by the 1.4 Increase public awareness of how Center for Watershed Protection and changes in household and commercial Horsley Witten in September 2009. land-use activities can contribute to d. Select and implement key strategic improved reef condition. actions from existing plans and designs (i.e. Garapan Watershed Plan) Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: by 2011. a. Engage social marketing expert to develop targeted outreach campaigns e. Revise or create new architecture by 2011. (Social marketing is the and engineering plan for stormwater application of marketing tools to infrastructure (if needed) by 2012. change attitudes and behaviors. It has been successfully applied to

8 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

such issues as seatbelt use, smoking, 1.6 Reduce sediments and other pollution, teen drug abuse, and land-based sources of pollution reproductive health.) in Talakhaya, Rota, by continuing b. Integrate social marketing plan with revegetation and public outreach. CAPs and other ongoing watershed management initiatives rather than FISHERIES AND IMPACTS OF implement separate awareness FISHING activities by 2010. Build off messaging from LaoLao CAP. GOAL 2: Increase the abundance and c. Partner with NGOs to implement average size of CNMI’s key coral reef targeted outreach campaigns by 2010. fishery species to protect trophic structure and biodiversity and improve 1.5 Strengthen watershed management coral reef ecosystem condition (within in San Jose, , by conducting a and outside of existing MPAs). watershed inventory, in preparation for CAP by 2013. Objectives: CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: 2.1 Increase compliance with fishing laws a. Gather flow direction and rate data. and regulations that affect key coral reef fishery species by 2015. Focus these b. Gather water quality data. efforts in priority watersheds (those with c. Examine conductivity between completed CAPs). watershed discharge and near-shore marine environment. Priorities

9 SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

Left Image: Impaired water quality impacts fishing and swimming activities at , 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

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: starting in 2012. Vet results of the a. Work with a social marketing expert to monitoring with affected community plan targeted outreach and awareness and seek input from resource users campaigns to increase compliance about how compliance could be with fishing laws and regulations by improved. 2011. The aim is to educate fishers, d. Provide regular training for consumers and commercial entities enforcement staff in enforcement, (businesses) about coral reef fish investigation and community life histories, the need for fisheries engagement techniques. (Need for management and the impacts of frequent training opportunities on specific fishing practices. multiple subjects—fish identification, b. Improve enforcement of fishery new laws, technologies, techniques laws and regulations by 2012 and underwater investigation.) through providing additional e. Improve interagency collaboration capacity, equipment and resources and cross-training opportunities to local enforcement offices. Create through a joint enforcement opportunities, through social agreement. marketing campaign, for enforcement f. Support the development of officers to engage with local community management programs communities to raise awareness about to increase public knowledge of, existing rules and regulations. support for and participation in fishery c. Monitor effectiveness of existing management activities (e.g., Tasi enforcement program and review watch in LaoLao Bay) by 2013. and revise enforcement plan annually

10 2.2 Strengthen the information base for Key Actions to Achieve this Objective: fisheries management by 2012. Collect, a. Ensure locally designated points analyze and manage fishery-dependent of contact communicate with and -independent data about the status appropriate federal managers to start of stocks, including relevant life history dialogue on management issues. information for targeted coral reef fishes. (Refer to Summary Recommendations 2.5 Implement major objectives in the [Urgent/Critical] in “Coral Reef Stock NOAA National Marine Fisheries Assessment Workshop” [Western Pacific Service (NMFS) Habitat Assessment Regional Fishery Management Council Improvement Plan, which are relevant (WPRFMC), Feb. 2008]). to CNMI coral reefs.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: a. Expand creel survey on Saipan, and a. Conduct improved habitat perhaps to Tinian and Rota. Prior to assessments to refine/narrow expansion, ensure that current surveys definitions of Essential Fish Habitat follow a reportable, defensible, (EFH) and Habitat of Particular complete design. Concern. b. Conduct a Northern Islands shallow- b. Prioritize habitat protection, water bottomfish stock assessment. restoration and mitigation. c. Collect additional catch data from c. Improve accuracy of EFH consultations market surveys to determine: regarding proposed (fishing or non- ■■ What types of fish make up the fishing) impacts. majority of market sales? d. Improve quantification of habitat value/loss and mitigation ■■ Are fish being caught before they can recommendations. reproduce? e. Improve integrated ecosystem ■■ How do markets compare between all assessments (Ecosystem Based Fishery other islands? Management). 2.3 Enact the Fishery Management Act and accompanying regulations by 2010. IMPACTS OF MILITARY BUILD-UP

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: GOAL 3: Develop the legal and administrative authority and capacity to a. Educate the legislature on how a monitor and assess impacts of military fisheries act will benefit/affect them. build-up activities on coral reefs by b. Ensure appropriate legal support to 2012. CNMI’S Coral Reef Management make any changes to act necessary for passage. Objectives:

2.4 Take necessary action to ensure that 3.1 Establish protocols for joint CNMI- CNMI is a decision-making partner federal agency involvement in the in Mariana Trench Marine National environmental assessment and Monument management. Ensure monitoring of military activities (e.g., that the Monument incorporates local landing boats, sonar exercises) in Priorities initiatives and laws. proximity to reefs by 2012.

11 SECTION ONE: SCOPE, DEVELOPMENT AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: b. Review established protocols a. Establish a working group to and management strategies for coordinate development and minimizing anchor damage from implementation of protocols. other areas and adapt for CNMI (e.g., Include CNMI representative for see Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Navy Joint Guam Program Office Authority, CORAL guidelines, Florida) meetings to ensure coordination. by 2010. Review examples from Farallon De c. Work with local enforcement agencies Medinilla, Guam and Hawai`i as a to enforce and monitor compliance guide. (The aim is for CNMI agencies with protocols by 2011. to be involved in the design and d. Monitor coral reefs area for anchor implementation of military monitoring damage (add to existing monitoring activities in proximity to coral reefs. programs) by 2011. If monitoring is not adequate to assess impacts, CNMI agencies should 3.4 Develop strategies for managing partner with other federal agencies to increased recreational uses related to supplement monitoring activities.) increased military presence.

3.2 Rapidly assess and collect baseline Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: information on reef conditions in existing or proposed military training areas. a. Conduct socioeconomic monitoring Work with military to establish these of increased marine recreational baselines and long-term monitoring of activity (by military, dependents and these sites. contractors) in CNMI waters, and related impacts to reefs. Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND a. Establish an interagency monitoring OCEAN ACIDIFICATION team to develop monitoring protocols and begin monitoring coral reefs in GOAL 4: Monitor the short- and long- existing or proposed military training term impacts of global climate change areas by 2013. as part of a longer-term adaptation b. Develop biosecurity baselines and strategy. monitoring protocols to reduce the risk of aquatic and terrestrial invasive Objectives: plants and animals in the major 4.1 Create and build capacity to implement harbors and military landing zones a response plan by 2012 to quantify and within CNMI by summer 2011. characterize bleaching events, building 3.3 Establish protocols to avoid and on recommendations from NOAA minimize impacts of military vessel climate change workshop held in Guam, anchors on CNMI’s reef systems by 2011. September 2009.

Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: a. Establish a working group to a. Establish an interagency working coordinate development and group to oversee development. implementation of protocols by 2010.

12 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

4.2 Work with NOAA and CNMI Coastal leaders, stakeholders, etc.) as part of Resources Management Office (CRM) the CNMI Coral Bleaching Response to increase capacity to monitor and Plan by 2010. mitigate impacts to CNMI’s coastlines b. Coordinate with community dive from sea-level rise. groups, businesses and individuals to build participation in BioSearch Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: program as a tool to assist in early a. Continue beach profiling to prioritize warning for bleaching, Crown of locations most susceptible to Thorns Starfish, and other climate inundation. driven events by 2011. b. Create geographic information system- c. Coordinate with local media (print, based situation models based on sea- broadcast and radio) to provide a level rise scenarios by 2013. coral bleaching watch update to run c. Create/develop adaptation plans at regular intervals during summer focusing on vulnerable areas and months by 2010. CNMI’S Coral Reef Management infrastructures relocation strategies by 4.4 Increase capacity (e.g., Integrated Coral 2015. Observing Network expansion) for 4.3 Develop a climate change awareness monitoring ocean temperature change, program for the community. bleaching, acidification and other potential impacts of global climate Key Actions To Achieve this Objective: change.

a. Develop a communications plan Priorities (including outreach to media, key

13 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.

14 CNMI’s Priority Goals and NOAA’s National Goals and Explanation of Correlation Objectives Objectives for Coral Reef (as needed) Conservation 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.

Land-Based Sources of Pollution (LBSP) Impacts Objective 1.3: Implement watershed management plans and OBJECTIVE 1.1: Implement LaoLao CAP as relevant LAS within priority coral reef CAPs are site-based plans that address a model approach to site-based planning ecosystems and associated watersheds watershed management and other and management by 2013 (end of ARRA to improve water quality and enhance issues and identify specific actions at the road improvement project in LaoLao Bay). coral reef ecosystem resilience. Where local level to reduce threats to resources. needed, develop (or update) watershed management plans that incorporate coral reef protection measures.

LBSP Impacts Objective 1.3: Implement OBJECTIVE 1.2: Develop and begin watershed management plans and implementing a CAP or comprehensive relevant LAS within priority coral reef watershed management plan in Garapan ecosystems and associated watersheds (defined as American Memorial Park to to improve water quality and enhance See Objective 1.1. Garapan Fishing Base) by 2015 to improve coral reef ecosystem resilience. Where water quality and condition of adjacent needed, develop (or update) watershed coral reefs. management plans that incorporate coral reef protection measures.

LBSP Impacts Objective 1.3: Implement watershed management plans and OBJECTIVE 1.3: Develop and begin to relevant LAS within priority coral reef implement a CAP or comprehensive ecosystems and associated watersheds watershed management plan for a key to improve water quality and enhance See Objective 1.1. watershed in Rota to improve water coral reef ecosystem resilience. Where quality and condition of adjacent coral needed, develop (or update) watershed reefs. management plans that incorporate coral reef protection measures.

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). CNMI’S Coral Reef Management

Fishing Impacts Goal 3: Increase OBJECTIVE 2.1: Increase compliance with stakeholder engagement and capacity fishing laws and regulations that affect to improve local compliance with and key coral reef fishery species by 2015. No explanation needed. enforcement of fisheries management Focus these efforts in priority watersheds regulations that further coral reef (those with completed CAPs). ecosystem conservation. Priorities

Table 1

15 SECTION THREE: LINKAGES TO NOAA’S NATIONAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES CNMI’s Priority Goals and NOAA’s National Goals and Explanation of Objectives Objectives for Coral Reef Correlation (as needed) Conservation 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).

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 OBJECTIVE 2.1 (continued enforcement of regulations or behaviors that reduce impacts of fishing on coral reef ecosystems. from previous page): Increase compliance with fishing laws and Fishing Impacts Objective 3.3: Work with partners to regulations that affect key coral No explanation needed. identify economic alternatives that reduce effects of reef fishery species by 2015. Focus non-traditional extractive livelihoods on coral reef these efforts in priority watersheds ecosystems and provide options for communities (those with completed CAPs). 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.

Fishing Impacts Objective 1.3: Obtain essential life history and ecological information on key species or functional groups to support management actions.

OBJECTIVE 2.2: Strengthen the Fishing Impacts Objective 1.4: Obtain necessary information base for fisheries information on fishing effort in U.S. coral reef management by 2012. Collect, ecosystems by measuring fishing intensity, fishing analyze and manage fishery- mortality, frequency, area coverage, community dependent and -independent data dependence, etc., to inform management activities. about the status stocks, including No explanation needed. relevant life history information for Fishing Impacts Objective 1.5: Predict appropriate levels targeted coral reef fishes. (Refer of extraction for key species or groups by developing to Summary Recommendations and utilizing valid, precise, place-based and realistic [Urgent/Critical] in “Coral Reef ecosystem dynamics models. Stock Assessment Workshop” [WPRFMC, Feb. 2008]). 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.

Table 1 continued

16 CNMI’s Priority Goals and NOAA’s National Goals and Explanation of Objectives Objectives for Coral Reef Correlation (as needed) Conservation 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. The CNMI Fishery Management Act articulates CNMI’s fisheries Fishing Impacts Objective 3.4: Conduct biological management policy and the rules and socioeconomic research and monitoring and regulations established to OBJECTIVE 2.3: Enact the Fishery necessary to assess the effectiveness of compliance enforce the policy. The national Management Act and accompanying and enforcement activities, understand community fishing impacts objectives each regulations by 2010. concerns, flag roadblocks to implementation, and incorporate into management efforts. relate to aspects of enforcing fisheries rules and regulations Fishing Impacts Objective 4.3: Develop targeted, that the CRCP can support in locally-relevant outreach and communication partnership with CNMI. 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.

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 None monitoring of military activities (e.g., landing boats, sonar exercises) in proximity to reefs by 2012.

OBJECTIVE 3.2: Rapidly assess and collect baseline information on reef conditions in existing or proposed None military training areas. Work with military to establish these baselines and long-term monitoring of these sites.

OBJECTIVE 3.3: Establish protocols to minimize impacts of military vessel None anchors on CNMI’s reef systems by 2011. CNMI’S Coral Reef Management GOAL 4: MONITOR THE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AS PART OF A LONGER-TERM ADAPTATION STRATEGY.

Climate Impacts Objective 1.3: Develop and OBJECTIVE 4.1: Create and build capacity implement climate-related crisis response plans in to implement a response plan by 2012 all U.S. coral reef jurisdictions to provide a framework to quantify and characterize bleaching for early warning, communication, monitoring, No explanation needed. events, building on recommendations research and management response to protect coral

from NOAA climate-change workshop reef ecosystems from acute events such as coral Priorities held in Guam, September 2009. bleaching, infectious disease outbreaks, tropical storm impacts and major rainfall events.

Table 1 continued 17 APPENDIX ONE: PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS PARTICIPANTS

Core Group: place-based managers of specific Advisors: managers of jurisdictions and coral reef areas. populations impacting CNMI’s coral reefs. Each member of this group was invited to attend Each member of this group was invited to the workshop, to partake in an interview prior interview prior to the workshop and to participate to the workshop and to participate in document in document revisions. revisions. Nate Hawley, DFW Frank Rabauliman, Division of Environmental Ana Agulto, CRM Quality (DEQ) Doris Chong, CRM Fran Castro, DEQ Kathy Yuknavage, Mariana Islands Nature Kathleen Herrmann, DEQ/NOAA Alliance (*Included due to previous Janice E. Castro, DEQ position with CRM) Lisa Huyhn Eller, DEQ Kate B. Fuller, DEQ Dr John Joyner, CRM John Starmer, CRM Science Advisors: members of the scientific Brooke Nevitt, CRM community with expertise in various aspects of Sylvan Igisomar, Division of Fish and Wildlife coral reef ecosystems. (DFW) Each member of this group was invited to review Michael Trianni, DFW documents and to offer revisions. Ray Roberto, DFW Tony Mareham, DFW Jacob Asher, NMFS, Pacific Islands Fisheries Mike Tenorio, DFW Science Center (PIFSC), Coral Reef Dr. Peter Houk, Pacific Marine Resources Ecosystem Division (CRED) Institute (* Included due to previous Rusty Brainard, NOAA, PIFSC, CRED position with DEQ) Joyce Miller, NOAA, PIFSC, CRED Steve McKagan, NOAA, NMFS, Pacific Islands Benjamin Richards, NOAA, PIFSC, CRED Regional Office (PIRO) Bernardo Vargas-Angel, NOAA, PIFSC, CRED Jack Ogumoro, WPRFMC Arielle Levine, NOAA, PIFSC Robert Van Woesik, Florida Institute of Technology Bob Schroeder, NOAA, PIRO

18 APPENDIX ONE: APPENDIX TWO: PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS CONTEXT

PARTICIPANTS The Situation Analysis is a preparatory document stormwater control reduce runoff and turbidity. that summarizes coral reef threats, condition Other efforts include soil stabilization and and trends; key management issues; and key establishing treatment wetlands. This topic is agencies’ management goals. As an initial closely connected to the issue of land-based step in the priority setting process, it was used sources of pollution as well as construction and ahead of meetings and interviews to provide a development, both noted point and non-point reference point and boundary for priority setting sources of pollution. discussions with place-based coral reef managers in CNMI. The documents that make up the basis Education, Outreach and Community of this analysis were identified during interviews Involvement is the most prolific goal set. These with place-based coral reef managers in CNMI goals cut across all areas of management and and via a desk review of existing management conservation. Because the economy of the islands plans from those agencies that are responsible relies heavily on coral reefs, both as a tourism for or affect CNMI’s coral management. The coral draw and a fishery, the status of the ecosystem reef managers interviewed for this study were depends upon sustainable users. Education and identified by the NOAA CRCP team with input outreach programs are vital to public and visitor from the NOAA CRCP point of contact in CNMI understanding of human impact and sustainable and included NOAA CRCP, NOAA National Marine use. The vast majority of actions and objectives Fisheries Service (NMFS)/Pacific Islands Regional include using volunteers to implement plans. Office, NOAA–NMFS/Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, Department of In addition, the following issues were particularly Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR)–Division noteworthy: Regulation and Enforcement, of Environmental Quality, DPNR–Coastal Construction and Development, Land-Based Resources Management, DPNR–Division of Fish Sources of Pollution and Research, Maintaining and Wildlife, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance and Natural Habitats, Fishing and Zoning and Pacific Marine Resources Institute. Moorings.

The Situation Analysis identified the following Regulation and Enforcement refers to enforcing issue areas—which reflect both specific threats regulations already in place and updating as well as tools to mitigate threats—as those regulations to reflect current needs and stresses. that were most commonly referred to in the Regulations must evolve to meet the needs of an documents reviewed. These results are listed in ecosystem changing due to new and increased CNMI’S Coral Reef Management no particular order. anthropogenic stresses as well as the effects of global climate change. As such, research Water Quality includes monitoring and data and monitoring are often linked to updating collection from a number of sites for bacteria regulations. In addition, this issue often coincides and nutrient levels as well as turbidity reduction with significant education and outreach goals, as from runoff. Many of the efforts to improve dispersing information on regulations is the first

water quality overlap with issues of construction step toward user group compliance. Priorities and development: road stabilization and

19 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

Construction and Development refers both to Research and Maintaining Natural Habitats development meant to improve environmental includes research and monitoring in high-impact quality and efforts to mitigate human impacts due areas, such as popular snorkel/dive sites and to construction and commercial development. highly developed coastlines. Research and habitat Major construction efforts in CNMI revolve maintenance goals also include designating and around stormwater management, such as road enforcing no-motor and no-take areas. This issue stabilization. Revegetation of unstable areas frequently links to various other conservation to prevent soil erosion and nutrient runoff are management areas, as the goals are often to often mentioned as well. Construction and maintain habitats with as little impact as possible. development supports recreational activities and includes expanding and maintaining trail Fishing is an economic keystone for CNMI. Fishing networks and park facilities. It is also closely is both a commercial and personal livelihood linked with water quality and land-based sources for residents as well as a recreational activity of pollution discussed below. for visitors and locals alike. Because fishery regulation has significant community impact, Land-Based Sources of Pollution pertains to outreach programs and interagency management actions that degrade water quality or have a with private stakeholders is often necessary direct impact on reef health. As is noted above, to determine the most effective management water quality and construction and development practice. are linked and pertain to land-based sources of pollution. As such, both of these topics could fall Zoning and Mooring refers to the need to under the broader topic of land-based sources of designate specific areas for specific activities and pollution. 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.

20 APPENDIX THREE: PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF CAPACITY GAPS

During the interviews with coral reef managers Measures: in CNMI, facilitators worked to understand the 1. The user groups who are affected by your working relationship between managers and program understand and support the management documents. Facilitators noted and goals, strategies and targets. identified challenges to and current deficiencies in achieving stated goals and objectives, noting 2. There is public support for your program. specific capacity gaps that likely will need 3. The institutions that assist in attention. implementing your program, or the institutions that are affected by the plan, The Coastal Resources Center at the University of understand and support it. Rhode Island developed and applied common tools for comparative assessments of coastal Results: ecosystem governance. This approach involves three categories, phrased as key statements, for A core group of resource managers in the enabling conditions that allow an initiative to DEQ, CRM, DWF and among nongovernmental successfully execute a sustained plan of action organizations understands and supports reef designed to influence the course of events in an management objectives. Other management ecosystem. personnel are not opposed to DEQ’s reef management initiatives, but have other The three categories are: constituencies, management priorities. Support among resource commitment and capacity. This baseline will also user groups seems to be uneven. Fishers, in identify the immediate capacity gaps that are particular, show mixed support. CNMI coral reef directly related to implementing this strategic initiative is seeking to build support for greater approach. These gaps will be explored further, and self-management among fishers through a social a capacity assessment will be developed in phase II marketing plan that applies marketing tools to of this effort, beginning in fiscal year 2010. the promotion of fishing practices that reduce negative impacts on reef systems. Recreational operators generally understand and support Constituencies

resource management objectives, according to CNMI’S Coral Reef Management management resource people with whom we Premise: spoke. 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. Priorities

21 APPENDIX THREE: PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF CAPACITY GAPS

COMMITMENT CAPACITY

Premise: Premise: To achieve success, it is necessary that To achieve success, it is necessary for sufficient the delegated authorities have expressed capacity be present within the institutions commitment to the policies of a program and to responsible for the program to implement its the allocation of financial resources required for policies and plan of action. long-term program implementation. Measures: Measures: 1. Your program possesses the human 1. The appropriate level of government has resources to implement its plan of action. formally approved the plan of action. 2. Your program possesses the institutional 2. The government provided the program resources (equipment, materials, etc.) to with the authorities it needs to implement its plan of action. successfully implement its plan of action. 3. There are internal or external barriers to 3. Sufficient financial resources have been successfully implement plan of action. committed to fully implement the What are these? program over the long-term. Results: Results: There is a core of skilled and knowledgeable Commitment is strong in DEQ from the director resource management specialists among DEQ, down, among experienced staff in CRM and DFW CRM, DFW and nongovernment organizations and among nongovernmental experts including who care passionately about reef management some of whom are former government staff. There issues. There appear to be a few specialist appears to be strong agreement among resource gaps in the CRM program, some of which may management professionals about the need for be remedied with increased experience and greater management of land-based sources of mentoring. The more serious capacity issues pollution, more rigorous management of fishing relate to institutional infrastructure and higher- activities and increased attention focused on level leadership. A number of respondents climate change and the military build-up. Place- mentioned difficulties in applying for and based funding for managing land-based sources managing project funding. Some addressed the of pollution will require support from multiple difficulties in navigating the grants Web site and agencies. Regarding funding, CNMI relies heavily forms and the relatively small grants they received. on federal funds. Local funding for management, This required them to be constantly applying for particularly for managing land-based sources additional funding. Several suggested having an of pollution, will be essential. Commitment to intermediary financial management agency such increased enforcement of fishing activities is as the Research Corporation of the University problematic. of Hawai`i with which to work. There were also concerns about the perceived Honolulu- centric 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.

22 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

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 place- based 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 CNMI’S Coral Reef Management 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.

Priorities

23 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION DOCUMENTS FOR CNMI BY AGENCY

Division of Environmental Quality Unaffiliated or Jointly Published Conceptual Stormwater Management Plan for the Documents Garapan II Drainage (2005). Cesar Environmental Economics Consulting Group Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (2006). The Economic Value of the Coral Reefs of Integrated 305(b) and 303(d) Water Quality Saipan, CNMI. Assessment Report (2008). Division of Coastal Resource Management, Laolao Bay Conservation Action Plan (2009). Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Fish and Wildlife, and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (2006). How Much are Division of Fish and Wildlife Saipan’s Coral Reefs Worth?: A Policy Brief. Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for the CNMI (2005). Division of Coastal Resource Management and Division of Environmental Quality (2002). Management Plan for the Managaha Marine Commowealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Conservation Area (2005). Nonpoint Source Pollution Monitoring Strategy.

Management Plan for the Bird Island Wildlife Houk, P. and van Woesik, R. (2009). Coral Conservation Area and Bird Island Marine Sanctuary Assemblages and reef growth in Saipan, the CNMI. (2007). Notes from Coral Reef Stakeholder Meetings Management Plan: Wildlife Conservation (2003). Area and Forbidden Island Marine Sanctuary (2007). Western Pacific Fishery Information Network and Mariana Islands Nature Alliance Division of Fish and Wildlife (2007). Commonwealth Goals and Projects for 2008–2010. Accessed at: of Northern Mariana Islands 2005 Fisheries Statistics. http://www.minapacific.org/sec.asp?secID=2 Zeller, D. et al. (2007). Re-estimation of small-scale NOAA–NMFS/Western Pacific Regional fishery catches for US-flag associated island areas of Fishery Management Council the western Pacific: the last 50 years. Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Mariana Archipelago (2008).

24 To access this report online or for more information, visit: http://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcrcp/strategy/reprioritization/managementpriorities/ CNMI’S Coral Reef Management Priorities

25 To access this report online or for more information, visit: http://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcrcp/strategy/reprioritization/managementpriorities/

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