Lights, camera, action: The dramatic events of life on a reef

A summer experience on island has made me both enjoy and become more aware of our marine ecosystem and environment. No, it is not just simply the outdoor weekend activities at the beach with family and friends or hikes along the trails of Saipan. Rather, it is the wonderful experience of being a part of the internship program through the Coral Reef Initiative, which consists of indoor office learning and outdoor field research on the diverse species of algae, invertebrates, and corals in the waters surrounding Saipan.

My name is Severino Alforeza III, 18 years old. As a recent graduate of Marianas High School, I plan to attend one year at Northern Marianas College and major in Natural Resources Management. After the year is over, I will transfer to Brigham Young University in Hawaii. The internship initially started on June 6 but due to competitions that I participated in on the mainland, I did not start until July 1. I first saw this internship opportunity while reading one of the issues of Beach Road magazine and it immediately caught my attention. Wanting to learn more on how to help contribute to the health of the environment, I immediately jumped on this chance and, to my astonishment, I was able to participate in this great program.

I am an intern with the Marine Monitoring Team at the Division of Environmental Quality under the direction and supervision of my two great mentors, marine biologist Steven Johnson and environmental specialist John Iguel. The marine monitoring team individuals that I have worked with are composed of members from DEQ and the Coastal Resources Management Office. The CNMI’s interagency Marine Monitoring Team works day in and day out to understand the change in our coral reef ecosystems. Changes can occur as a result of natural disasters such as typhoons, or a result of human impacts such as pollution and runoff and sedimentation. The changes over time allow us to assess the impacts of land-based pollution and whether management actions are needed or when implemented, if they are working. The overall objective is to minimize the adverse effects of development and daily use of our islands’ resources on the marine environment.

Coral reef ecosystems are some of the most diverse and productive communities on Earth. Coral reefs surround our beautiful island of Saipan. They are mainly found in the warm, clear, shallow waters of tropical oceans worldwide, which make Saipan’s waters a sure spot for these diverse ecosystems. Our reef’s functions range from providing food and shelter to fish and invertebrates, to protecting the shore from erosion. This is why the long-term monitoring program of these reef ecosystems is necessary. It is important because it provides information on how to manage these precious reef resources.

Long term monitoring consists of reef flat surveys. These surveys involve logging down fish and macro-invertebrate abundance, coral recruitment, algae, and biological diversity. Regular monitoring can result in early detection of problems and provide guidance toward any stressors that pose a threat to their physical condition. For these surveys, five transects are laid out underwater, and each transect is a 50-meter line stretching parallel to the shoreline and positioned by a GPS device. During this internship, I have counted and taken data of algae and invertebrates. For every meter on the transect line, we lay out a quadrant which has six points, and then we count the benthos directly beneath each point. We do this for the whole 50 meters of the first transect, and continue on to the next transect until we reach the fifth. The data is recorded on pieces of expensive waterproof paper and then entered into the data base. We record what types of organisms live on CNMI’s reefs and where they live. This informs us on what areas are most important to maintaining environmental health so we can prioritize monitoring around those spots. We have surveyed sites at the lagoon in San Antonio, Susupe and among the staghorn coral and Halodule sites.

I have also participated in the revegetation of the uplands of Laolao Bay. The purpose of this project is to reduce sedimentation into Laolao Bay. Sedimentation occurs when stormwater runoff from exposed soils and unpaved roads enters the marine environment and smothers corals and crustose coralline algae, limiting the growth of these reef builders. If sedimentation continues, then reef builders will be overrun by macroalgae. The reduction of sedimentation will provide a more suitable habitat for fish, which in turn will increase fish numbers for local fishermen and improve the aesthetics of Laolao’s reef. With tourism as the main revenue source for this island, this project will make Saipan more desirable to visiting divers and tourist alike.

The economic, fishing and recreational resources of our island depend heavily upon healthy coral reef ecosystems. Barrier coral reefs protect shorelines from erosion and storm damage. Water quality declines when sediment from improperly managed construction sites runoff toward the lagoon, or a spurt of bacteria from unkempt septic systems. This causes a production of new coral diseases and massive algal blooms. Coral bleaching occurs when sea temperatures rise or when local stresses occur. Coral reefs deserve protection for their intrinsic natural value. Let us not squander this valuable resource, and preserve it for our future generations.