NON-point source water pollution, inadequate fisheries regulations and crown of thorn starfish outbreaks are three of the major problems affecting the CNMI’s near shore coral reef systems.
The Division of Environmental Quality, in its 2002 CNMI Water Quality Report, said the islands’ coral reefs range from “very healthy” to “disturbed.”
Reef systems found in Laulau Bay on Saipan and the Talakhaya region in Rota are classified as “disturbed reefs” mainly due to uncontrolled upland runoff during storm events.
Reef systems found outside Wing Beach on Saipan and Long Beach on Tinian are in “good health.”
While there are a number of natural disturbances affecting the reefs, DEQ is particularly concerned with the crown of thorn starfish outbreaks.
This starfish eats live corals and during an outbreak, its high abundance affects the entire CNMI reef system.
DEQ and the Coastal Resources Management are currently testing a method to kill the starfish without posing any threat to the marine environment. Work is currently being done in conjunction with the Northern Marianas Dive Operators Association.
The exact cause of the outbreaks is still unknown by scientists around the world, and the best protection the CNMI can have against the starfish is a control program, said DEQ.
