Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
Northern Marianas
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a chain of 15 islands
between 14º-20º5’N, 145º-146ºE, divided into two sections, with large variations in coral
reef resources between the south and the north. The southern islands (Saipan the capital,
Tinian, Agijuan, Rota and Farallon de Medinilla FDM), are mostly raised limestone with well
developed fringing coral reefs, whereas the largely uninhabited northern islands
(Anantahan, Sariguan, Guguan, Alamagan, Pagan, Agrihan, Ascuncion, Maug, Uracas, and
Farallon de Pajaros) are primarily volcanic, including some active volcanos, and much less
reef development. The southern islands have gradual sloping coastlines with barrier reefs
and well-developed fringing reefs on the western coasts.
FSM
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) consists of 4 states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and
Yap (all formerly known as the Caroline Islands along with Palau). Each group has its own
language, customs, local government, and reef tenure systems, with the traditional Chiefs
and community groups being active in governance, in parallel with a western-style
democratic government. This dual system provides both opportunities and challenges to
reef and marine resource protection. There is a mix of both high islands and atolls, and
there is a strong economic and cultural dependence on coral reefs resources. Kosrae (a
single island of 109km2; elevation 629m) is surrounded by a fringing reef and has one
harbour. Pohnpei is the capital and largest island (345km 2 ) with a well-developed barrier
reef and associated lagoon, and includes 8 nearby smaller island and atolls, to form the
State of Pohnpei. Chuuk State (formerly known as Truk) has 15 inhabited islands and atolls,
and is famous for the Japanese wrecks sunk in the lagoon during World War II. Yap State
has a main island (100km 2 ) and 15 other islands and atolls, and the people retain most of
their traditions, including a highly sophisticated marine tenure and associated marine
resource management system.
Guam
This is a US territory and the most southern and largest of the Mariana islands (560km 2 ;
maximum elevation 405m; 13º28’ N, 144º45’ E). While the island population is 150,000,
more than 1 million tourists visit annually. Guam lies close to the centres of coral reef
biodiversity, with approximately 270 species of hard corals, 220 species of benthic marine
algae, over 1,400 species of molluscs and 1,000 species of reef fishes. Sea surface
temperatures are ideal for coral reefs (27-30ºC) with higher temperatures over the reef flats
and in the lagoons. The northern half of the island is relatively flat and consists of uplifted
limestone, whereas the south is primarily volcanic, and more rugged with large areas of
erosion prone lateritic soils. The island has fringing, patch, submerged, and a barrier reef,
along with offshore banks. The fringing reef flats vary from 10m wide on the windward side
to well over 100m elsewhere. The combined areas of reef and lagoon are approximately 60km 2 .
Guam is in the middle of the tropical Pacific ‘typhoon belt’ and experiences about one
substantial tropical typhoon each year, therefore the coral reefs play a major role in
protecting the land from storm waves. Tourism, primarily from Japan and other Asian
countries, is the largest industry. Thus the coral reefs and associated marine recreation are of
substantial economic value, contributing over US$70 million per year, specifically
associated with scuba diving, snorkelling, submarine tours and beach-related activities.
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