A Social Marketing Campaign Targets Litter in Laolao Bay
The Takeaway: Funding from NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program made successful campaign possible; Saipan officials are inspired to use the approach again.
Learn MoreStates / Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
50,000
Population
24,110 People
Total Employment
5
Climate and Weather Disasters
(Affecting CNMI 2010 to 2018)*
Coastal Economy
CNMI employs 24,000 people annually and contributes $922 million in gross domestic product.
Leading Employer
Of all of the sectors of CNMI’s ocean economy, tourism and recreation is by far the leading employer, accounting for about 90 percent of ocean economy employment and between 40 and 50 percent of total employment.
Natural Hazards
Four weather disasters affected CNMI in 2018—and a total of five affected the territory between 2010 and 2018.
Coastal Resources
The total annual economic value provided by CNMI’s coral reefs and seagrass is $114.8 million. **
Sources:
ENOW Pacific Final Report (NOAA Report)
*Disaster Declarations for States and Counties (FEMA Website)
**Value of Ecosystem Services from Coral Reef and Seagrass Habitats in CNMI (Eastern Research Group Report)
(All economic and demographic facts represent the latest data available [2015] and are regularly updated as new data become available)
Making a Difference
in Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Accessible Boardwalk Will Promote Habitat Protection and Education
The Takeaway: The commonwealth’s coastal program joined a multi-partner effort to protect water quality and important wildlife and marine species.
Learn MoreEye in Sky Monitors Resource Threats
The Takeaway: Is it a bird? A plane? No, it’s an unmanned aerial vehicle used by a Pacific commonwealth’s coastal program to spot natural resource dangers.
Learn MoreFiltration System Keeps Saipan Lagoon Cleaner
The Takeaway: The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ coastal program made the system feasible by updating environmental regulations and fining those who don’t comply.
Learn MoreLaoLao Bay Dive Path Will Reduce Reef Impacts
The Takeaway: Coastal program design that keeps divers to a set path is likely to improve coral health and recruitment.
Learn MoreNOAA Commemorates Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The Takeaway: Community pride and the centuries-old practices of Native Pacific Islanders inform several NOAA-supported projects to protect this region’s natural treasures.
Learn MoreSocially Distanced Volunteers Clean Up 9,000-Plus Pounds of Trash
The Takeaway: Much credit for the impressive haul goes to the commonwealth’s coastal zone management program and the volunteers, who followed strict health and safety protocols.
Learn MoreVisualizing Locally Relevant Sea Level Rise Scenarios
The Takeaway: Coastal management program uses NOAA products to upgrade local and regional planning efforts.
Learn More“Greening” of Barren Hillsides Lets Sun Shine Bright on Corals
The Takeaway: Project funded and led by NOAA corals program turns dusty hillsides green again, dramatically lessening sediment runoff that had formerly blocked sunlight and buried corals in layers of soil.
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