Marine Resources Assessment for the Marianas Operating ... - SPREP

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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Navy’s COMPACFLT contracted this MRA to initiate collection of data and information concerning the protected and commercial marine resources found in U.S. Pacific Fleet military ranges and training areas located in the waters off of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). For the purposes of this MRA, the military areas assessed will be considered as one unit that is hereafter referred to as “the Marianas MRA study area” or more simply as “the study area.” 1.1 PURPOSE AND NEED The goal of this MRA is to describe and document the marine resources in the Marianas MRA study area, including both protected and commercial marine species. This MRA provides a compilation of the most recent data and information on the occurrence of these resources in the study area. A synopsis of environmental and habitat data and in-depth discussions of the species of concern found in the study area and surrounding region are included. The locations of EFH and other areas of interest, such as MMAs and SCUBA diving sites, are also addressed in this assessment. In addition, this report identifies data gaps and prioritizes recommendations for future research in the study area. Beyond the Navy’s immediate mission in the study area is the Department of Defense’s (DoD) mission to prevent pollution, protect the environment, and protect natural, historic, and cultural resources (DoN 1999). The assembled information in this MRA will serve as a baseline from which the Navy may evaluate future actions and consider adjustments to training exercises or operations in order to mitigate potential impacts to protected and commercial marine resources. This assessment will contribute to the Fleet’s Integrated Long-Range Planning Process and represents an important component in the Fleet’s ongoing compliance with U.S. federal mandates that aim to protect and manage resources in the marine environment. All species and habitats that are potentially affected by the Navy’s maritime exercises and are protected by U.S. federal resource laws or executive orders are considered in this assessment. A search and review of relevant literature and data was conducted to provide information on the relevant features of the marine environment (coastal and oceanic), the occurrence patterns of protected species, and the distribution of EFHs and fishing activities in the study area and vicinity. To describe the physical environment and habitats at Guam and the CNMI, physiographic, bathymetric, geologic, hydrographic, and oceanographic data for the region are presented and locations of benthic communities (e.g., live/hardbottom and coral reefs), artificial habitats (e.g., artificial reefs and shipwrecks), and submerged aquatic vegetation are identified. All available sighting, stranding, satellite tracking, nesting, and critical habitat data for marine mammals and sea turtles were compiled and interpreted to predict the occurrence patterns of these protected species in the study area and vicinity. Seasonal variations in occurrence patterns have been identified, mapped, and described along with the likely causative factors (behavioral, climatic, or oceanographic). Characteristics of these species, such as their behavior and life history, relevant to the evaluation of potential impacts of Navy operations are included. Also reviewed were the locations of EFHs, fishing activities, U.S. maritime boundaries, commercially navigable waterways, MMAs, and SCUBA diving sites. This report summary of the marine resources occurring in the Marianas MRA study area is provided in both paper and electronic form. 1.2 LOCATION OF STUDY AREA The Marianas MRA study area is located in the western North Pacific Ocean more than 1,600 kilometers (km) south of Japan and 2,400 km east of the Philippines (Figure 1-1). The CNMI is a chain of 16 islands that extends 730 km from Farallon de Pajaros in the north to Rota in the south, and encompasses a total land area of 510 square kilometers (km 2 ). The largest islands in the CNMI are Saipan, Rota, and Tinian, which account for 65 percent (%) of the Commonwealth’s land area and are home to 99% of its population. The U.S. Territory of Guam lies immediately to the south of the CNMI, and is the largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago (PBEC 1985). The Marianas MRA study area includes military training areas and ranges in the near vicinity of the following islands: Guam, Tinian, and Farallon de Medinilla (FDM). At Guam, four distinct areas were assessed: 1) Apra Harbor; 2) Agat Bay 1-1
AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT 1-2 Figure 1-1. Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), northwest Pacific Ocean: Study area, military installations, military submerged areas (Haputo Ecological Reserve Area [ERA], Orote Peninsula ERA), military leases, military warning areas, and military ranges. Source data: DoN (2000, 2002).
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT Artificial
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT 3.0 SPECIE
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT 3.1 MARINE
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT Acoustics
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT widespread
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT In the CNM
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT Benthonic
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT Endangered
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT APPENDIX A
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AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT Appendix A
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