The Socioeconomic Component of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) collects socioeconomic data across all United States (U.S.) coral reef territories and jurisdictions to inform human dimensions indicators. These indicators fall under the broad categories of population demographics, human use of coral reef resources, and knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of coral reefs and coral reef management. The overall goal of this endeavor is to understand the status and trends of each jurisdiction’s population, social and economic structure, interactions with coral reef resources, and responses to local coral reef management. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) uses this information to help address coral reef issues at local, regional, and national levels, as well as to inform continuing research and communication products. NOAA CRCP staff, along with educators and managers in the jurisdictions, use this information to monitor changes in coral reef–dependent communities and jurisdictions and ensure outreach programs are designed to achieve their goals.
This report presents primary data collected for the second socioeconomic monitoring cycle in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (the first monitoring cycle was completed in 2016). The household survey was conducted in person from February to March 2024. Results are representative of the CNMI resident population as a whole and island strata of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Key highlights from the results include:
- Activity Participation: Over 70% of CNMI residents participated in beach recreation and swimming/wading in both 2016 and 2024, and participation in most activities increased from 2016 to 2024.
- Seafood: Nearly all (98%) residents consumed seafood in at least some of their meals on average, and 84% of those residents ate seafood from local coral reefs.
- Importance of Coral Reefs: Over 80% of residents believed that CNMI’s coral reefs were extremely important for coastal protection, food, and human health. Two-thirds of residents also believed that coral reefs were important for cultural events (such as fiestas and ceremonies) and for establishing or maintaining social relationships and family ties.
- Perceived Resource Conditions: At least 50% of residents believed ocean water quality and the amount of fish in CNMI were good, but residents were generally split on whether these conditions will worsen or improve over the next 10 years.
- Threats to Coral Reefs: Residents were generally more familiar with a variety of threats to coral reefs in 2024 than they were in 2016. In 2024, the highest increase in familiarity was with coral bleaching. Between 46-49% identified coral bleaching, marine litter, pollution, and ocean acidification as severe threats to coral reefs.
- Support for Management Strategies: At least 80% of residents supported active coral reef restoration, community participation in marine resource management, new requirements for improved wastewater treatment, and increased restrictions on coastal construction practices to prevent soil and stormwater runoff. From 2016 to 2024, support level for various management strategies generally decreased but was still high overall.
- Marine Protected Areas: The majority of residents were aware of existing marine protected areas (MPAs) or marine preserves in CNMI. Over 70% of residents believed that MPAs have led to improved coral reef protection, and 64% believed that MPAs have improved the amount and size of fish. Perceptions of most MPA impacts were more negative in 2024 than they were in 2016, but residents were more likely to perceive positive impacts to fishermen livelihoods than in 2016.
- Conservation Behaviors: Over 80% of residents believed that it was extremely important for CNMI residents to engage in activities that help protect coral reefs. Most residents generally engaged in routine conservation-oriented behaviors such as reducing household electricity or water use or using fewer single-use plastics. Less than 50% of residents had taken longer-term actions such as maintaining or upgrading septic or sewer systems. Commonly stated barriers to action were lack of opportunity, lack of knowledge, and lack of permission.
- Awareness of Coral Reef Rules and Regulations: Nearly 90% of residents believed it was unacceptable to leave trash on the beach, and 60% believed it was unacceptable to anchor a boat on coral or remove coastal vegetation. Opinions were mixed about the acceptability of touching corals, operating a boat in shallow reef areas, having fires on the beach, and feeding fish, birds, or mammals, suggesting a potential need for more outreach to improve compliance through increased awareness of rules and regulations.
Overall, the results indicate that CNMI’s residents are active marine resource users who have integral connections with coral reefs and rely on these ecosystems for a variety of social, economic, and cultural benefits. Results also show that residents are increasingly aware of coral reef issues, such as coral bleaching and ocean acidification, and suggest that residents strongly support management strategies such as active coral reef restoration, efforts to mitigate threats to coral reefs (e.g., restrict sources of pollution), and actions to prevent resource conditions (e.g., ocean water quality) from becoming worse.
The findings on resident perceptions of resource conditions and threats to coral reefs can be used to 1) assess the effectiveness of current management efforts and determine if those efforts need modification; 2) design new management approaches that are readily understood and therefore more likely to be accepted and followed by resource users; or 3) adjust outreach and education strategies per changing local observations about threats to the local marine environment.
Allen M. E., Alva A. T., Siegel S., Fleming C. S., Gonyo S. B. & Towle E. K., 2025. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program socioeconomic monitoring component: summary findings for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 2024. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. Report.
