An Overview of Marine Protected Areas in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

AN OVERVIEW OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS)

What is an MPA?Is a broad term used to cover marine areas which have some level of management for the protection of living, non-living, cultural and/or historical resources

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF MPA’S? No take MPA’s

All organisms living or non-living Species specific MPA’s

Certain fish Inverts Algae

Limited activity MPAs Recreational use MPA (no extractive activity) Limited gear use MPA (only certain gears allowed) Closed areas (no access)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MPA’S Create an environment where resources are

allowed to recover. Restrict activities which damages resources,

historical and/or cultural sites in a given area. (anchoring, diving, fishing, etc.)

Allow fish to recover and replenish areas adjacent to the MPA.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MPA’S CONT.

General Perspective:

MPAs --> Less Fishing Pressure --> Larger Fish --> Increased Reproduction--> More Fish --> Competition for Space --> Fish Move to Other Areas --> More Larger Fish on the Plate, or to Admire.

Throughout the CNMIMarianas Trench Marine National MonumentSaipan: 5 MPA’sTinian: 1 MPARota:1 MPA

WHERE ARE THE MPA’S LOCATED?

Established in 2009 Presidential Proclamation 8335Three Management UnitsIsland Units (Uracas, Maug,

Asuncion)Volcanic Units (Volcano, Thermal

vents)Trench Units (Benthic habitats)

Mariana Trench Marine National Monument

Managaha Marine Conservation AreaEstablished in 1999 through PL 12-12 Management plan developed in 2005No-TakeHigh recreational use area

Bird Island Sanctuary Established through PL 12-46No-TakeMarine management plan developed in 2007Grotto dive site

Forbidden Island SanctuaryEstablished through PL 12-46 No-TakeInclusive of Tank beachMarine management plan established in 2007

Lighthouse Trochus Reserve Designated for Trochus niloticus (Aliling

tulompo)All other activities are permittedCurrent moratorium on the harvest of Trochus

Laulau Bay Sea cucumber Reserve Established to protect all species of sea cucumberAll other activities are permitted in the areaMoratorium for Sea cucumbers is still in effect

Tinian Fish ReserveEstablished in 2007 (PL 15-90)Revised in 2010 (PL 17-14) Limited fishing reserve (Atulai, E’e’ and Ti’ao)

Sasanhaya Bay Fish Reserve Established through RLL 9-2No-takeEstablished in 1994Dive sites (Coral gardens, Shoun Maru, Ponia

point)

QUESTIONS??

THANK YOU SI YU’US MA’ASIOLOOMWAY