2018 is year of the coral reef

This entire year has been officially designated for the protection and advocacy of the coral reef, one of the CNMI’s most critical resources.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, in conjunction with the International Coral Reef Initiative, has designated 2018 as the year to raise awareness on the current threat to the islands’ coral reef.

The coral reef serves as a barrier between life-threatening storms and life-threatening currents, protects our coastline from erosion, serves as a habitat for marine life, and are considered the cornerstone for the islands’ tourism industry.

Unfortunately, this vital resource has been dying out due to pollution, unsustainable land use and development, recreational misuse, and the overall impact of climate change.

In recognizing the economic, ecological, and cultural importance of coral reefs, the CNMI Coral Reef Initiative works to protect and preserve these valuable resources through biological monitoring, habitat restoration, research, enforcement, and educational outreach.

The International Coral Reef Initiative was declared in 2018 as the third International Year of the Reef as part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability, and to motivate people to take action to protect them.

The proclamation would serve to strengthen awareness about the ecological, economic, social, and cultural value of coral reefs and associated ecosystems while also improving the understanding of the critical threats to coral reefs and, as a result, generate both practical and innovative solutions to reduce the threats, and generate action at all levels to develop and implement effective management strategies for conservation and sustainable.

The CNMI Coral Reef Initiative and the Division of Coastal Resources Management, alongside local natural resource managers, scientists, community leaders and volunteers, will work together to achieve these goals by hosting a number of activities throughout the year to engage the public in actively participating in the protection and preservation of the CNMI’s coral reefs.

Throughout the year, community members can look forward to marches, workshops, and conferences that focus on spreading awareness of the coral reefs’ current status and how the community can partner with different agencies like the Division of Coastal Resource management and the CNMI Coral Reef Initiative to preserve and protect these vital resources.