SEM-Pasifika Rota Team

Rota Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands training and assessment report. Socioeconomic monitoring guidelines for coastal managers in Pacific Island countries (SEM-Pasifika)

2014

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"SEM-Pasifika is a set of community-based socioeconomic monitoring guidelines developed specifically for coastal managers in Pacific Island countries. Since its launch in 2008 SEM-Pasifika trainings have been conducted throughout Micronesia. Assessments have taken place in the CNMI, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia. Between July 14-July 20, 2014, Rota was host to the islands first SEM-Pasifika training. For the training, a number of objectives and outputs were identified: Objectives: To build socioeconomic monitoring capacity of the participants based on SEM-Pasifika To understand basic principles of data coding, management, and quality control To understand principles of qualitative research and data analysis To complete a socio-economic assessment for a field site in Rota To conduct a baseline assessment for long-term monitoring effort To communicate results of data analysis and effectively communicate data visually To be able to use analyzed data in conservation planning and adaptive management To produce an assessment report To pilot Micronesia Challenge socioeconomic measures as appropriate Outputs/outcomes from workshop: Participants trained to undertake a socioeconomic assessment with some guidance from trainers Understand and appreciate mixed research methods with quantitative and qualitative approaches Greater understanding and appreciation of socioeconomic monitoring as an important tool for resource management Commitment of participants to future SEM-Pasifika activities Socio-economic assessment completed and data analyzed for Rota site Report back to community on assessment results Building off of the Rota Conservation Action Plan (CAP), the workshop team developed and conducted an assessment focusing on the islands natural resources. The objectives of the assessment were driven by local management partners and the information gathered is intended to be used to help inform and support resource management. In addition, this training was the first step in developing a longer-term monitoring program. Finally, the training provided an opportunity to test the proposed MC Socioeconomic Indicators. To do this, a team of resource managers from the Bureau of Environment and Coastal Quality, Division of Coastal Resources Management, Saipan traveled to Rota to work with a local team made up of representatives from the Division of Lands and Natural Resources, Department of Commerce, and Luta Soil and Water Conservation District. The team worked through developing assessment objectives, indicators, key informant interviews and assessment implementation. Key informant interviews were designed and conducted to give all team members an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the island and the community in relation to the developed objectives. The team then used the information to develop a household survey which sought to gather information and answer questions regarding Rota. Participants then implemented the assessment by interviewing Rota residents. Questions addressed issues such as livelihoods, perceived resource conditions and sustainable solutions. The training, in addition to building the capacity of participants, was also an opportunity to build relationships between resource managers. The training was also host to the launching of the Micronesia Challenge socioeconomic indicators. During the workshop the MC indicators which were selected at the First MC SE Measures Meeting held in Palau in 2012 were field tested for the first time."

FY2011 CRCP Project ID 20645; Project Title: Domestic Coral Reef Conservation Grant Programs; Principal Investigator: Jenny Waddell ~ FY2011 CRCP grant NA11NOS4820009

NOS/Office for Coastal Management (OCM)

NA11NOS4820009