Back to the Marianas: Monitoring Coral Reef Ecosystems in the Pacific

Coral reefs are in decline, affecting coastal communities, economies, and ecosystems. To better understand and address these challenges, the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program has been collecting data since 2000 to support the protection of these invaluable ecosystems, worth over $3.4 billion in the U.S. economy. ¹

This year, teams of scientific divers return for the 9th time on the NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette to continue these long-term monitoring efforts in the Marianas. These surveys are like a routine health check-up for the ocean-scientists assess fish populations, coral health, and ocean chemistry to detect changes and identify potential threats. With these insights, they can inform the most effective strategies to support reef conservation and resilience.

The Pacific NCRMP program last visited Guam and the CNMI in 2022 to monitor fish and seafloor communities while the research ship collected bathymetric data. Findings revealed that, on average, half of the region's coral has been lost over the past two decades. ² However, research also highlighted the success of Guam's marine preserves in enhancing fish populations. ⁴ Additionally, by bringing together data from 2009-2022, researchers developed a model to predict future fish distributions. This model can help local managers pinpoint key areas for conservation efforts. ³

NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources. Through rigorous scientific research and an ecosystem-based approach to science-informed management, we provide critical data on coral reef communities , fish populations, ocean conditions, and chemistry. This long-term, high-quality information supports scientists, resource managers, and the public, offering valuable tools like the NCRMP Data Viz Tool .

Follow along to see the science behind NCRMP's 2025 mission!