NOAA ship on Saipan

Posted on Apr 17 2009

Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are currently conducting tests and assessing coral reefs ecosystems as part of the bi-annual Marianas Reef Assessment and Monitoring program.

Approximately 20 scientists are on board to conduct a rapid ecological assessment of the marine environment around Saipan, said Jacob Asher, CNMI scientific liaison for the NOAA’s Coral Reef Ecosystem division, part of the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

The scientists are continuing stock assessments looking into coral reef ecosystems, algae, fish and clam populations, he said. The information will be used to monitor trends, such as how fish populations are changing along coastal areas with large amounts of people versus less populated areas.

Guam, Rota and Tinian have already been surveyed. The scientists will next head to the Northern Islands and return to port on May 7, Asher said.

This is the fourth time scientists from the program have been here. They first came in 2003, Asher said.

Autism advocacy: An invitation to an open house

DCCA to ask for special viewing for man’amko

Disclaimer: Comments are moderated. They will not appear immediately or even on the same day. Comments should be related to the topic. Off-topic comments would be deleted. Profanities are not allowed. Comments that are potentially libelous, inflammatory, or slanderous would be deleted.