Marine Monitoring
The goal of CNMI’s long-term coral reef monitoring program is to provide the information necessary for the wise management of our precious reef resources. We document how reef communities change over time in response to natural environmental fluctuations as well as those caused by people. Following changes over time allow us to assess the impacts of land-based pollution and whether management actions are needed or, when implemented, if they are working.
The CNMI’s Marine Monitoring Program is supported by the Marine Monitoring Team (MMT), which conducts scientific surveys throughout the archipelago, gathering data and information on the status of the coral reefs and seagrass beds. The MMT is comprised of marine biologists and environmental technicians. Data is collected on coral species diversity and colony populations, benthic (seafloor) cover, and species abundances of fish and macroinvertebrates.
A Manager’s Guide to Coral Reef Restoration Planning and Design supports the needs of reef managers seeking to begin restoration or assess their current restoration program. Based on global best practices, the Guide was developed for reef managers and practitioners, and anyone who plans, implements, and monitors reef restoration activities. Together with a suite of tools and templates, the Guide maps out a six‐step, iterative process to help users gather relevant data, ask critical questions, and have important conversations about restoration in their location, culminating in the creation a Restoration Action Plan to enhance reef resilience and recovery.
