With the continued support of OIA's coral reef and natural resources funding, the year 6 CRB project on rota will build upon proven successes to advance containment, reduce infestation levels, and…

The Office of The Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands received a $320,213.16 Project Grant from the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs under the Economic, Social, and Political Development of the Territories program (CFDA 15.875) on November 6, 2025. This Year 6 award funds the Coral Reef and Natural Resources (CRB) initiative on Rota, which focuses on containing and reducing Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) infestation, strengthening the island's resilience against future outbreaks, and maintaining proven field operations. The project runs through September 30, 2029.

The grant supports five strategic objectives: (1) maintaining and strengthening field operations for COTS containment and control; (2) expanding community engagement and stakeholder involvement in invasive species management; (3) advancing interagency collaboration and building technical capacity among territorial partners; (4) sustaining public awareness and education campaigns regarding coral reef conservation; and (5) safeguarding agricultural sustainability and food security. This funding represents a continuation of OIA's longstanding commitment to natural resource stewardship in the Northern Mariana Islands, building upon established program successes to address the escalating threat of coral reef degradation from invasive species infestations.

With the continued support of OIA's coral reef and natural resources funding, the year 6 CRB project on rota will build upon proven successes to advance containment, reduce infestation levels, and strengthen the island's resilience against future outbreaks. The program will focus on the following goals and objectives: 1. Maintain and strengthen field operations 2.expand and deepen community engagement 3. Advance interagency collaboration and technical capacity 4.sustain public awareness and education campaigns 5. Safeguard agricultural sustainability and food security