Report from Micronesia: NOAA Scientist On Human Factors Behind Reef Protection

Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service

April 23, 2009 — Christy Loper is, quite literally, a people person.

She knows that even the best policies aimed at preserving coral reefs can do very little without the support of the people who live and work in the very island communities that are economically dependent on them.

Loper, the social science coordinator for NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, has been out in the field working with Pacific island governments and local community leaders to develop and adopt environmental policies that incorporate human social factors. In fact, she has led several studies that have expanded the use of social science data in coral reef management worldwide.

Loper was recently in Micronesia, where she worked with island leaders to look at the human factors involved in reef conservation. She spoke with NOAA World about her fieldwork with the local people in Yap and Saipan:

Q: Tell us about your research in Micronesia.
A: Micronesia is a beautiful and diverse area of the Pacific Ocean characterized by rich natural resources and strong cultural tradition. I’m working with local partners to develop surveys, interview key community members, collect and analyze survey data, and provide recommendations to improve management of coral reef areas.

In Yap, I’m working with a local nongovernmental organization, Yap Cap, on an assessment for Ngulu Atoll, a remote coral island. I’m also working with the local government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on an assessment for Laolao Bay, a picturesque dive and picnic spot on the island of Saipan.

In both places, I’m fortunate to work with local project coordinators who received training in socioeconomic assessment last year: Vanessa Fread in Yap and Kathleen Herrmann, the NOAA Coral Reef Fellow in the Mariana Islands.

 

 

Q: What kinds of survey questions did you ask the residents?
A: We asked basic demographic questions and we also tried to gauge people’s understanding of and support for existing marine resource management regulations. In Yap, the survey focused on alternative income generating opportunities for the people of Ngulu, while the Laolao Bay study focused on understanding the nature and driving forces behind activities that damage the reef. The survey results will assist us in developing a social marketing campaign.

Q: What was the most memorable event of this research trip?
A: In Yap, after the survey data was analyzed, we met with community members and the survey team to present the results. The Chief of Ngulu Atoll was pleasantly surprised by the survey results. He told me beforehand that he hoped that at least half of his people would support new management rules for their island. He was very happy to hear that 100 percent of survey respondents support the new rules and believe the rules will benefit them and their families.

Q: What do you like about your work in Micronesia?
A: I enjoy working on the ground with local communities and seeing these assessments developed and carried out from start to finish. Living in Washington, D.C., I find it both rewarding and educational to be able to do this kind of fieldwork.

Q: Have you been surprised by any cultural differences?
A: I continue to be surprised by the level of traditional ownership of land and marine resources in Yap. Management responsibility for coral reefs lies at the village level and permission is needed by outsiders wishing to fish or swim in coastal waters.

Q: What do you do in your free time? 
A: I really haven’t had as much free time as I had hoped. I did get to go on a few dives in Yap and was fortunate to view the elusive mandarin fish, as well as one manta ray and some spectacularly healthy coral.